South London Weekly - March 8th 2024

Academy will return in April with improved security and ticketing system after fatalities

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HiStory

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CLASSiFiED

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MotHEr'S DAy MESSAGES

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ProPErty

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Pub LiC NotiCES

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SPort

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O2 AcAdemy will reOpen in April with strOnger dOOrs, new security And new ticketing system

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

The O2 Academy Brixton will reopen in April with stronger doors, new security and a revamped ticketing system. The changes are just a few of the 77 regulations agreed to by operator Academy Music Group (AMG) so that the venue can reopen.

AMG has also agreed to implement a fresh crowd management system, more detailed risk assessments and a new control and command centre at the venue when it reopens for shows on April 19. The O2 Academy has been shut since December 2022 after two died in a fatal crowd crush outside an Asake gig at the venue.

Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, a security worker, and mum-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, a nursing graduate, died from injuries they sustained in the incident. Lambeth Council agreed the O2 Academy Brixton could reopen in September 2023, but only once it had met 77 conditions designed to ensure the safety of visitors and staff at the venue.

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Nirvana UK, a tribute act to the 1990s rock band fronted by Kurt Cobain, and The Smyths, a tribute act to Manchester’s founding fathers of indie and pedallers of teenage angst, will play at the venue’s opening evening on April 19. The following weekend will see two more tribute acts grace the venue’s stage: Definitely Mightbe, who play Oasis songs and UK Foo Fighters.

In August 2023, a month before the council gave permission for the O2 Academy Brixton to reopen, AMG revealed plans to replace crowd control barriers at the venue. Documents submitted to Lambeth Council said the new barriers would ‘provide safe crowd break barriers for use during concerts.’

Two months before in June last year, plans were submitted to fit speakers outside the O2 Academy Brixton that would broadcast safety warnings to assist with crowd control. At the same time, AMG announced separate proposals to replace eight basement fire doors below the stage at the Grade-II listed venue.

A summary of the 77 conditions that AMG will have to abide by can be found below.

Liaison with police and the council

AMG will provide a list of forthcoming events to police and the council three months in advance and one month in advance.

event risk management

An event risk assessment will be prepared in advance of any event at the premises.

General risk assessment

The use of the balconies by customers will be subject to a risk assessment.

event management plan

An event management plan will be prepared in advance of any event at the premises.

Show stop procedure

This will be changed to make the decision maker take account of the audience reaction to the announcement of a show stop.

emergency operations plan

This shall be reviewed and signed at least annually by the general manager.

Security personnel

All security operatives at the premises shall be provided by a contractor holding approved contractor status from the Security Industry Authority.

Ingress

The system for ingress shall be protected by barriers.

Ticket inspections

Final ticket inspections at the premises shall be carried out by authorised employees of AMG.

Capacity

A manual or electronic system of counting in visitors to events on the premises shall be implemented and maintained.

CCTV

AMG shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system.

Public safety

All digital tickets for events at the premises shall be accompanied with online information which includes a link to the terms and conditions.

Prevention of nuisance

The secondary lobbies to all final exit doors to the street are to be maintained to reduce noise leakage to the immediate environment.

Prevention of crime and disorder

All front of house staff shall undergo welfare and vulnerability engagement training at least annually.

Works conditions

No licensable activities shall take place at the premises until the works to strengthen the front doors of the venue have been satisfactorily completed.

health and safety committee

AMG’s health and safety committee shall be chaired by an independent person with expertise in health and safety governance.

Off sales/bottles

No customers carrying open or sealed bottles shall be admitted to the premises at any time that the premises are open to the public.

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EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell

Spotlight Groomers has gained a sparkling reputation among the starspampering VIP pooches including those belonging to rapper Professor Green and his former partner Millie Mackintosh.

The shop’s sustainable vision, which sees discarded fur recycled, saw it named the winner of the Sustainability Award for London by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Vikki Samples who owns the business alongside Gordana Susak said: “Business is going well! We’ve got customers coming from all over!”

The groomer offers a luxury service, using scissors worth £100, £700 dryers and £75 bottles of shampoo, for services including dog facials and in-fashion ‘Asian-fusion’ trims.

“We only invest in the best equipment, tools and products,” Vikki said. “One, from a sustainability point of view and, two, your tools help you get a better finish.”

The entrance on Plough Way has been a revolving door for celebs in recent years. Their clients have included X-Factor’s Anton Stephans, Paisley Billings from Tattoo Fixers and BBC presenter Zoe Pocock.

The rise of pet influencers has also been a boost to business, with dogs including Reggie the Schnoodle, who has 15,000 Instagram followers, getting his cutand-dry at Spotlight before hitting social media.

Many are attracted by their sustainable credentials with discarded fur recycled

via Green Groomers Collective.

It collects fur and re-uses it for things including composting, wool alternatives, building materials, rope-making and even absorbing oil spills in waterways.

Vikki said: “The planet and being sustainable is important to us. We believe that the smaller business is just as important with carbon footprints and doing your part.”

Not limited to just celebrities, Vikki and Gordana cater to everyone, attracting customers from across London since founding the business in 2021.

The pair have been grooming for more than 40 years, are formally qualified, and trained at Absolutely Animals in Lee.

Gordana was running a groomer called Paws and Bowels on the same site for nine years while Vikki ran Blackheath Dogs Bar before Spotlight Groomers was established.

But Vikki says the industry has room to improve with many groomers currently

unregulated meaning they’re not qualified to protect dogs’ welfare.

She said: “At times we get dogs coming in with matted fur which can cause a pet pain, discomfort, and skin issues.”

The City & Guilds-qualified groomer

added: “We are here to help pet owners and their dogs, not to judge!”

Spotlight Groomers also received ‘Highly Commended’ for sustainability in the Southwark Business Awards.

celebrities spOtted At dOg grOOmers thAt recycles dOg fur

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Aton Stephans is

Millie Mackintosh has been one of their celeb clients.

cr OydOn pA rents c A ll f Or met t O fix st Op A nd se A rch f Oll Owing recent crime spike

By Harrison Galliven Local Democracy Reporter

CrOydOn reSIdenTS have expressed concerns that the Metropolitan Police are not working fast enough to ‘fix’ stop and search practices in the borough. This comes as the Met launched a new consultation on the powers to ‘reset’ its relationship with London communities.

School teachers, community leaders, and concerned parents gathered at the Croydon Voluntary Action Centre yesterday to discuss the controversial police powers with their local Met officers. Anthony King, who chairs the MyEnds youth program, hosted the meeting alongside Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Ade Adelekan, and other local police officers.

Audience members were keen for the Met to address the recent spike in theft in Croydon, but also wanted officers to do it in a way that respected the diversity of the community.

While the idea of stop and search received some support, concerns over how it was applied took centre stage. Currently, only around 30 per cent of stop and searches result in an arrest or further action.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), youth worker and Croydon local Neil said: “I’ve heard this all before. I don’t want to hear about the problem again, I hear it again and again. It’s all about solutions for me. It’s about trial and error, right now I’m not hearing a lot of trying just a lot of research from the met.”

“For me, I feel stop and search is all about the approach. I know this from working with young people. I know young people can be quite big, with 15-year-olds being as tall as adults, but they are still kids and they don’t know how to prepare themselves for that interaction.

“I never had any police come to my school when I was younger, I was just told to stay away from the police. A lot of kids won’t tell their parents they’ve been stopped and searched. They will just ask why and assume you’ve done something wrong. There’s still a big stigma.”

Concern about the stigma that comes with stop and search was shared by many throughout the room. Many felt the trauma of stop and searches on children was intensified by the fact that they felt they couldn’t tell their parents for fear of how they would react.

Plumbing engineer and mother of two Vivian told the LDRS: “There’s a lot of cultural differences in parenting, back in

the day our parents would say don’t bring the police to my door because they trusted the police. It’s the same with school, you trust what the teacher says but that doesn’t mean it’s true.

“I think the trust in authorities is dying out as we go through the generations. So now it’s not as much about respect but more about trying to stay out of the way because the police might set you up.”

When King asked the audience if they believed stop and search was necessary, the room nodded with muffled approval. One audience member, Tanisha, summed up the general feeling of the room in her response.

Tanisha said: “I think that stop and search is necessary, but I also think we need to look at young people and ask them why they carry knives. I think it’s better that you have more focus groups with young people directly rather than asking them to carry out a survey.”

“We can’t just get them to carry out a survey. As adults we look a surveys and think we haven’t got time for that, young people are going to look at a survey and not even read the first line.”

The survey in question forms the first part of the Met’s new charter, which they believe will have a ‘lasting impact on how the Met carries out the tactic to better police London.

The Met’s online survey, which focuses on perception, training, and suggested

improvements, comes following a recent dip in public confidence. Trauma arising from tragedies like the murder of Elianne Andam last year and the recent finding that police abstractions have pulled officers away from the borough have only deepened concerns.

The adultification of children and the lack of understanding around cultural sensitivities were frequently raised as areas where improvement is needed. Superintendent Tania Martin, who took questions from the audience, acknowledged these are issues where officers could receive more training.

Lifelong Croydon resident Clive became

we’ve had grown men brought to tears about the issues, the families are really angry.

“As a community, we get loads of momentum, but when we look to the police all we hear is that they are gathering data. I did think today was a bit of a PR exercise to be honest.

“We have got some great officers here working with the community but I don’t think they’re properly supported.

“How long is it going to take for the police to realise Croydon is a different beast to other parts of London. There are different sections to the borough that are really different to one another, like New Addington and West Croydon.”

Clive also praised the MyEnds program, which pays young people to shape local policing. He said: “It sounds negative, but great things like MyEnds have been taken up by other parts of London, and that’s what I want to see.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Adelekan, said he understood the audience’s concern as a black man and a father. He also said he wanted to focus on the quality of policing and not just the number of arrests.

He added: “Stop and search has always been a contentious issue. When used well it saves lives and is important in keeping Londoners safe, helping us identify criminality and take dangerous weapons like knives and firearms off our streets.

“I know some Londoners have a poor experience of stop and search and that has damaged the trust, confidence, and co-operation of some communities. That distrust is higher in communities where stop and search powers are used most often, generally where violent crime, driven by a small minority, is highest.

involved with community work following the 2011 riots. He believes the Met must acknowledge the borough’s size and demographic complexity, and provide policing that respects these realities.

Speaking to the LDRS after the meeting, he said: “The trust in the community is completely shot, and there some really good people in this area who have been overlooked and are sitting in their front room shivering because they daren’t go out after 5 pm due to the knife crime on the streets.”

“I’ve been coming here for the last two and a half years and we’re still talking about the same things. In these meetings,

“This is why we are taking the first steps to reset our approach. We want to hear from Londoners and create an agreement between the Met and the public on how we conduct stop and searches in the future.”

The Met’s survey can be found on their website. The deadline for completion is March 19.

Photos: Vivian feels police should be more accountable for unsuccessful stop and searches

The crowd was made up of community workers, teachers and concerned parents Croydon born Neil believes the Met should focus on solutions rather than the problems

Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Ade Adelekan told the audience he understands their concerns Credits: Harrison Galliven/ LDRS

the secret life Of the peckhAm hOspitAl pOrter crOwned uk’s best

By Herbie Russell

THey’re THe lifeblood of any hospital, transporting sick people and crucial supplies through corridors and, in doing so, constantly traversing the fragile line between life and death, yet hospital porters are often overlooked.

Kabiru Ogundipe, from Peckham, was crowned the UK’s best hospital porter at the annual MyPorter awards on February 21.

The 51-year-old, who hasn’t had a sick day in twelve years, says it’s important that he and his colleagues are finally being recognised for their hard work.

Kabiru, who moved to Peckham from Nigeria in 2002, said: “We are forgotten… it’s great they’ve started to remember not only the doctors or the anaesthetists

or the nurses.

“The porters are there, the cleaners are there, the security are there. All of us need to be carried on board.”

Around 300 porters were nominated for the prize so Kabiru was ecstatic to be pronounced the winner, especially given his wife had joked she’d only attend the ceremony if he won.

“When they announced the winner is Kabiru Ogundipe, the emotion, the tears, just ran down my face,” he said.

“When I collected the award I was still crying. It was amazing. I thank god.”

Two hours later, he was back at work, ferrying his patients to their scans, operations and appointments - wherever they needed to be.

In his eleven years as a porter at Northwick Park Hospital, Kabiru has encountered the sorts of incidents that

would be seared into most people’s memories. But for him, they’re routine.

The father of three said: “That’s our job. When I see a patient the first thing that comes to mind is empathy. I only have empathy for the patients.

“How would you feel if you were a patient? The way I [would] want them to treat me is the way I want to treat them.”

While Kabiru might regard himself as unspectacular, his speedy response, and unwavering calm, in several incidents, saw him nominated for the Porter of the Year award.

One such incident saw a patient jump from a nine-storey building in a suicide attempt and land on the roof of another building below.

For over three hours, Kabiru worked alongside the fire brigade who arrived to climb onto the roof, to get medical

supplies to the victim who survived.

“It was very, very, very critical. All of us stayed focused and did what was necessary to do,” Kabiru said.

Another incident saw a man suffer a major haemorrhage, losing blood at an alarming rate. Over several hours, Kabiru transported an astonishing twenty units of blood to the patient.

The Medirest employee said: “You have to be on your toes. Never panic. You have to be stable and follow the instructions of the anaesthetist and the doctor.”

Patients often thank Kabiru with gifts and cards but, even when encountering those who behave aggressively, he remains calm.

He says there are often “mental health patients…spitting on you, punching you, using all sorts of ‘f word’ on you”.

“You have to calm down and do your

job,” he said. “Spitting on me will not stop me taking that patient to their x-ray”. Inevitably, some of the patients Kabiru forms bonds with pass away but he says his hospital is “really supportive”. Despite such testing scenarios and the early starts, Kabiru says: “I love what I am doing.”

He joined the team after working in construction and finding work was drying up after the London 2012 Olympics.

Kabiru said: “I really enjoy chatting with patients, putting them at ease and reassuring them they are in the best place.

“I know so many people here now that it’s almost like my second family. I commute from south London and have no intention of moving to a hospital closer to home. I’d miss everyone.”

chArter schOOl eAst dulwich’s new hOme enters finAl cOnstructiOn stAge

By Herbie Russell

The ChArTer School east dulwich’s permanent site on an old hospital has reached the final stage of construction.

The new building includes a councilfunded purpose-built unit for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The school will be able to accommodate 1,700 pupils, including 480 sixth form places and 20 places for SEND pupils.

Due for completion in December 2024, the final phase also includes the permanent school main entrance, additional office and teaching space, music and sixth form facilities.

The campus complex is based on the site of the old East Dulwich Hospital. Construction was split into two phases so the NHS could safely relocate its services.

Phase one provided the school’s main teaching accommodation with art and science classrooms, sports hall, and temporary main entrance.

Pupils have more outdoor space thanks to landscaping around the school.

A temporary classroom block has enabled the school to fully function while the main building is renovated.

Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, said: “I am thrilled that we are one step closer towards a state-of-the-art new school premises for children of all abilities, and specifically those with SEND requirements.”

In August last year, we revealed construction had hit a stumbling block after contractor John F Hunt Regeneration Ltd demolished walls that “turned out to be structural”.

According to a council report, construction methods used to build the hospital’s Chateau building, in the 1800s, made it difficult to determine which walls should be retained.

Southwark Council said no party was “at fault” and the extra costs were covered by the Department for Education, the project’s main financial backer.

Kabiru said: ‘When I collected the award I was still crying.’

Kabiru (right centre) with his porter colleagues

Cllr Jasmine Ali paid the site a visit ahead of its completion later this year

Make a difference to lives with a career in adult social care

l Working in adult social care is a rewarding job where no two days are the same – although every day is filled with opportunities to support others to enjoy a better, vibrant life.

l The government recently announced a package of measures that will reaffirm care work as a career as well as providing new, accredited qualifications, digital training and funded apprenticeships.

Being a care worker can also fit around your life with flexible hours. And with no qualifications necessary, it’s usually a simple and quick process to start work.

Jason went from being a make-up artist to supporting people with low vision or hearing to live independent lives. It was a move that has given him a rewarding and fulfilling job in adult social care – something he would recommend to anyone.

After completing work experience in a residential home in his final year at school, he became a care assistant. But following a personal tragedy he reflected on his career and with an interest in make-up, enrolled on a course at the London College of Fashion.

He then worked as a make-up artist but found there was a lot of travel and little spare time – it was then he realised he

care had never really left me and I think I have a natural affinity for the work.”

Now he works in sensory enablement, primarily supporting patients who are being discharged from hospital to continue to live at home.

He adds: “From my initial role as a care worker, I was promoted to Trusted Assessor, so when we have someone we’re going to be supporting I’ll assess their needs, create a care plan, look at their medication and what steps we need to bring them back to live independently. We can then involve occupational health or physiotherapists to help support that journey.

“My work supports people who have low vision or hearing in living an independent life.

“Some of them can be in a very fraught, anxious, upset state of mind and to be able to go in and unpick that and start to provide support that gives them that light at the end of the tunnel is incredibly rewarding. You see that pressure being lifted off their shoulders.

“I remember one person who’d become so timid and withdrawn because of their low vision. Two years later, she was saying to me: ‘I’d like to see if there’s any possibility that myself and my communication worker could

Jason works in sensory enablement, primarily supporting patients who are being discharged from hospital to continue to live at home

start knife-throwing classes.’ It’s hard to put into words that feeling you get when someone’s blossomed and regained themselves again. If you could put it into tablet form and dish it out we’d be billionaires.”

Jason says attitude is really important to being a care worker: “You need to be able to relate to the customer you’re working with and that’s a skill I transferred from my career as a make-up artist.”

He adds that the organisation you work for will give support and training, and that flexibility is also an attraction: “One of my colleagues was looking after her children in the day, but when her husband came home in the afternoon she was free to do the evening shift and also worked weekends.

“If you’re even being drawn slightly towards adult social care, I’d say go for it ... there are so many different aspects you can go into. Start exploring, be confident and apply. You can’t put a value on that difference you can make to someone’s life.”

It’s hard to put into words that feeling you get when someone’s blossomed and regained themselves again

Care worker Jason ’’

Is this the job for you?

n To work in adult social care you need the right natural qualities, rather than qualifications.

n The most important thing when considering a career in adult social care is knowing whether you’re the right type of person, as that is the one thing that cannot be taught.

n You can, however, complete practical training, gain certificates onthe-job and take advantage of the government’s recently announced new, accredited qualifications, digital training and funded apprenticeships.

n While there are a huge range of roles available in adult social care, they all have one thing in common – you will enable others to live a more fulfilling life.

n Depending on the role, you may be required to provide support with all elements of daily living, such as cooking, shopping, eating, washing and dressing, administering medication, taking individuals to appointments or even organising fun activities and days out.

n Search for a job today at adultsocialcare.co.uk

Southwark Council urged to revive borough’s forgotten underground rivers

By Herbie Russell enVIrOnMenTALISTS

hAVe called for the revival of Southwark’s ancient rivers, including a forgotten waterway running underground from denmark hill to Bermondsey.

Southwark Nature Action Volunteers (SNAV) made the ambitious proposal to Southwark Council, at the Environment Scrutiny Commission on Tuesday, February 27.

The group suggested reviving Earl’s Sluice and the River Peck could improve the borough’s biodiversity.

Jenny Morgan, a SNAV volunteer, said: “We have got the Earl’s Sluice and the River peck. It would be great if parts of those could be uncovered.

“I know that’s a big ambition but put the idea out there.”

Such a project would mean removing the culverts - concrete structures that have been built to redirect the rivers since the early 19th century.

Earl’s Sluice runs underground from Ruskin Park and joins the River Peck in south Bermondsey before emptying in Deptford.

The waterway was once used to berth sailing ships and arctic whalers but was largely culverted in the 1830s and 40s.

The River Peck, after which Peckham may have been named, connects with the Earl’s Sluice in Bermondsey and runs to Peckham Rye Park.

Most of it was enclosed in the 1820s

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but an above-ground section remains in the park, where it is said to feed a pond.

Neither SNAV nor Southwark Council has said how much the rivers’ revival would cost nor the stakeholders involved - but it has been possible elsewhere.

Over the last thirty years, the River Quaggy, a 17km waterway running through Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, has undergone major restorations at several points.

In 2002, a straight concrete channel was bulldozed allowing the river to meander naturally across Chinbrook Meadows.

QWAG, the river’s campaign group, wrote online: “Naturalising the river as it flows through the park has provided an ecologically sound method of mitigating this flood risk.”

Jenny Morgan also told councillors that similar schemes had been “achieved to great local benefit and international acclaim in places as diverse as Seoul and Los Angeles”.

Southwark Council and SNAV were approached for comment.

TfL launches fifteenmile walking route from Epping Forest to Peckham

By Herbie Russell

A neW fifteen-mile walking route stretching from Peckham to epping Forest in north London has been launched by Transport for London (TfL).

The Green Link Walk connects almost 40 areas of green space, including Walthamstow Marshes, London Fields and Burgess Park, and five other Walk London routes.

The new route has been created to increase leisure walking in London and improve Londoners’ health and wellbeing by easing their access to nature.

Since the pandemic, London has seen a 10 per cent increase in leisure walking, according to TfL’s Leisure Walking Plan. Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Policy said: “London is already a great city to explore on foot and this new route will encourage Londoners to enjoy more of our beautiful green spaces across the capital.

“Leisure walking has a vital role to play in the health of everyone living in London and we’ll continue to work with our partners to ensure everyone has access to high-quality walking infrastructure.”

Reinvention of immigration programs & changes to impact

We see changes to the immigration policies by the UK Government at fast pace. Seems that immigration matters are always at the headlines.

• Recent updates from The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP shows Skilled workers are contributing nearly £1million each year in income tax and national insurance.

• Business immigration programs are supporting the ability for the UK to become competitive in the global markets.

Business visas for the UK

As the UK embarks on pushing through investment, overseas businesses looking to relocate to the UK have been made easier by the UK Home Office.

1. The Global Mobility Visa programs allows businesses from outside of the UK to come and set-up a business in the UK. Find more details at https://icslegal.com/GlobalBusiness-Mobility-Visas

2. ICS Legal can help our clients on business planning, financial strategy and marketing investment.

To apply for a business visa, an organisation must demonstrate that they have a successful business overseas and intending to relocate to the UK.

• To demonstrate through financial records, the business generates income and is a scalable, viable and innovative business for the UK.

• Have the financial means to set-up in the UK.

• Create a viable and realistic business plan to support in the business visa application.

Apply for a sponsor licence once the business is set up in the UK. This would allow someone on the visa to be then sponsored under the skilled worker program.

• Sponsor licence fee from £536.

• The scope of new and start-up businesses including small businesses are able to apply for a sponsor licence and employed skilled workers.

Applying for a sponsor licence

When a business identifies a talent, this is a critical business matter and if a person then requires to be sponsored, applying for a sponsor licence is one of the first steps to be taken.

Further details at https://icslegal.com/ sponsorship-licence.

• The employment must be skilled worker and, in the Home Office, published lists.

• A sponsor licence allows a business in the UK to employ someone on the work visa routes. A work visa route leads to settlement after 5 years.

• The sponsor licence once granted, must be managed and meet the compliance requirements.

Use our interactive sponsor licence application digital form online to apply for a sponsor licence – www.icslegal.co.

• Documents for a sponsor licence? You will need to prove that the business is established legally, meets the requirement of UK’s legislation and have the financial means to sponsor.

• How long is the sponsor licence valid for? 4 years.

• What happens if the sponsor licence is refused? You may have a right to legally challenge the decision and may not be permitted to apply for a new sponsor licence.

ICS Legal, what we are doing to help the business community

As a regulated law firm, we use our space in both legal and technology to enhance the experience in immigration needs, whether you’re an individual, entrepreneur or a business.

1. Create strategic planning for businesses looking to set-up in the UK. We build on transformative ideas for our clients.

2. Help to create immigration programs including skilled worker visa’s, and apply for sponsor licence, including compliance and management.

3. Providing legal advice through litigative process with the UKVI and the judiciary system.

If you need more information of what we do and our work, please email us at info@icslegal.com.

Moving at speed and experience

ICS Legal places itself in a unique position, with over 2 decades of immigration program management and litigation services, our colleagues are here to support our clients.

• Speak to us on 020 7237 3388 and find more information on www.icslegal.com

Stay connected with us with all the latest legal changes on immigration, nationality and human rights policies.

© Matt Brown (Creative Commons)

An open part of the River Peck is said to feed a pond in Peckham Rye Park.

Rocque’s 1761 map shows bridges crossing the Earl’s sluice south of Walworth village and over the Old Kent Road at ‘St Thos Watering’s’

The Green Link Walk connects almost 40 areas of green space. Credit: TfL

© TfL

mAsh mAde in heAven - first ever nAtiOnAl pie’n’mAsh week

By Herbie Russell

ArMenTS PIe and Mash in Walworth is celebrating the firstever national pie’n’Mash Week by delivering the Cockney staple straight to a lucky household’s door.

The shop, which has been on the site since around 1881, was purchased by the Arments from the Evans family in April 1914 - three months before World War One.

Liz Arment was originally offered the business but, as a spinster, would have struggled to purchase the shop.

Instead, it passed to her sister Emily, the grandmother of Roy Arment, who along with Cheryl Arment and nephew Paul, still runs the shop.

National Pie’n’Mash Week runs from Monday, March 11 till Sunday, March 17, with hungry punters invited to visit the Arments Facebook page to enter the competition.

The meaty week is the brainchild of the Modern Cockney Festival which hopes to expand the “international status” of the dish.

So Arments, which will celebrate its 110th birthday next month, is expecting even greater demand for its famous golden-crusted pies.

Arments Pie and Mash was originally

‘Crust us on National Pie’n’Mash Week.’ the Arments team has told punters.

based at 386 Walworth Road after being founded by Emily and William Arment. The shop moved to 7-9 Westmoreland Road in 1979 and has regularly featured on TV, including in the documentary

Elephant Days and a Danny Dyer series.

In recognition of Arments’ place in the community, it received a Blue Plaque in 2013 and had a building named after it - Arments Court - on the new Aylesbury

Emily and Liz Arment at 386 Walworth Road in 1914

Southwark’s pie past stretches back even further thanks to the Pilgrim Fathers.

The founders of America, who famously set off from a mooring point next to Rotherhithe’s The Mayflower pub, are said to have taken their apple pie recipe to America.

They were often called ‘pippin’ pies because they were made with the Cox Pippin apple.

It’s been a busy month for piemakers with British Pie Week concluding on Sunday, March 10.

Estate.

Pie and mash has been served in the capital since at least the 19th century with south east London long considered its cultural home.

Chairman of British Pie Week Dr Matthew O’Callaghan said British pies were the UK’s contribution to international cuisine: “We’ve developed the pie like no other country; hot, cold, sweet, savoury and with a range of pastry to match, shortcrust, hot water crust, suet, filo, puff.”

Pie and Mash famously counts numerous celebrities amongst its fans including David Beckham, Danny Dyer and Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris.

life-sAving defibrillAtOrs instAlled

By Isabel Ramirez

SOu Th WA rk COunCIL has installed life-saving defibrillators at twelve libraries, eight leisure centres and 75 out of 90 schools.

The devices, which provide clear stepby-step instructions, are crucial in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

Council Leader Kieron Williams said:

“We are delighted to have fulfilled our commitment to install defibrillators across public spaces in Southwark.

“Outside of hospitals, there are more than 30,000 cardiac arrests across the UK every year, but less than one in ten people survive. Defibrillators are key to improving this statistic.”

All schools have been offered an automated external defibrillator (AED) and only fifteen are yet to have one installed.

The devices check a person’s heart rhythm and administer a shock only if needed so users don’t accidentally shock

Cllr Evelyn Akoto and Council Leader Kieron Williams presenting one of the new defibrillators

themselves or others.

Councillor Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The first thing to do if you believe somebody is suffering from a cardiac arrest is to dial 999, and the operator will help guide you. The quicker help is given, the greater the chance of survival.”

Operating outside the council’s remit, charity director Lisa Pearson has had bleed control kits and cabinets installed on walls

and in shops throughout Southwark.

She wants the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to participate in the scheme by directing 999 callers to their locations when someone is stabbed or suffers a traumatic injury.

But LAS has so far declined to engage directly with the scheme, saying the responsibility for training and dispatch of bleed kits “does not sit with ambulance services”.

Star

Barrymore says ‘little f*cker’ snatched his mobile

By Herbie Russell

“A LITTLe f*cker” stole Michael Barrymore’s phone while filming in Bermondsey, the comedian and television presenter has said.

The Bermondsey-born celebrity was filming an upcoming project when the daylight theft occurred, on Tuesday, February 13.

Speaking in a video on his TikTok account, Barrymore said: “I was out filming this morning and the first thing that happened was I got my phone nicked by some kid on a bike.”

He added: “I’m gonna ring the police now and see if I can get my phone back from that little f*cker.”

The 71-year-old mocked the alleged thief in a follow-up video, saying: “I hope you all had a great Tuesday. Except for you (lil bro on the bike who stole my phone clean out of my hand this morning in Bermondsey). Your parents don’t love you.”

Barrymore grew up on Bermondsey’s Dickens Estate before achieving stardom as a TV icon presenting shows like Kids Say

By Isabel Ramirez

LOCAL SeCOndAry school pupils had ‘unforgettable’ work experience at King’s college hospital, with one girl saying it has set her up for her dream job.

The NHS Foundation Trust has offered local students the opportunity to gain valuable life skills while they learn more about roles in areas including paediatric surgery, pharmacy and nursing.

Seven secondary students aged 16-19 years old living in Southwark undertook placements at King’s and the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) earlier this month.

Maria Angela Garces Mocanu, 16, from St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Church of England School near Elephant and Castle, spent a week supporting the Trust’s acute deterioration department.

Commenting on her experience, she said: “I witnessed so many different things in the week I have been here, and truthfully, I loved every bit of it.

“This placement made me realise how much I love working in a hospital environment: my goal is to become a healthcare negligence lawyer. This is an experience I will never let go of, and I would do it all over again if I had the chance.”

lOcAl schOOl pupils get ‘unfOrgettAble’ wOrk experience At king’s hOspitAl

in Bermondsey

the Funniest Things and My Kind of Music. Southwark is repeatedly among London’s worst boroughs for phone thefts.

In 2023, 4,376 phones were stolen in Southwark with a total value of roughly £1,553,480.

On December 13, a man in his 40s was reportedly slashed by bike-riding robbers on the towpath from Rotherhithe New Road to South Bermondsey Station.

The robbers didn’t manage to get his phone but police said he was left with life-changing injuries. There has been no suggestion the incidents are connected.

The Met Police was unable to provide a comment without being given a precise location for the alleged robbery.

Ex-Southwark police officer would have been sacked for assaulting female colleague

By Herbie Russell

An ex-police officer who resigned after sexually assaulting a colleague in Southwark would have been sacked anyway.

A Met Police hearing found Former dC Justin Gilmore committed gross misconduct while off-duty in July 2015.

The incident took place while Gilmore was based at Southwark police station. He and a female colleague were offduty at a social event in Southwark when Gilmore sexually assaulted her.

The matter was reported to police on January 6, 2022, and investigated by officers at Central South Command Unit.

DC Gilmore was interviewed under caution before being charged and suspended from duty.

He was convicted at Inner London Crown Court on November 8, 2023, given a £1,000 fine and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.

Sarah Quinn, Deputy Director of Learning and Organisational Development at King’s College Hospital, said: “This is a great opportunity for students from our local community to get out of the classroom and have a taste of an NHS career. This is the first year of our new work experience programme, and we have welcomed over 200 students to the Trust.

“Through these work experience placements, we hope young people have developed new skills, learned about their strengths and areas for development, increased their confidence, and hopefully gained an insight into which career path they

want to follow.”

Students living in Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Orpington or Bromley are eligible to apply by completing an application form. Between 12-16 February, 35 participants from 26 different schools across South London took part.

The Trust matches students with mentors based on their career interests, so students are selected on the quality of their application and the availability of placements in their department(s) of interest.

For more information go to https:// www.kch.nhs.uk/careers/workingat-kings/work-experience/

Gilmore had resigned from the Met before the internal hearing, which concluded on Wednesday, February 14.

Commander Ben Russell, responsible for Met Operations, said: “Former DC Gilmore’s actions fell far below the very high standards we expect of officers and as a result the hearing rightly concluded that he would have been dismissed.

“Respect for our fellow officers, as well as the public we serve, is nonnegotiable. Former DC Gilmore will now be placed on the College of Policing Barred List meaning that he cannot serve as a police officer or in a number of other related roles in the future.

©Jameswilliam1990Creative Commons

guilty Of murder peckhAm mAn whO bAttered his elderly mOther tO deAth

By Herbie Russell

A PeCkhAM man has been convicted of murdering his mother after lying that her injuries were from falling over.

Steffon Hewitt, 51, battered his 68-yearold mother Vanita Nowell in a “vicious attack” in March 2020.

He was found guilty of murder following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court. He will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, April 16.

Vanita moved to the UK from Barbados to live with her son in 2019.

On March 8, 2020, Hewitt inflicted “significant and extensive” injuries on his mother in what would have been a “painful death”, police said.

Vanita suffered 28 fresh rib fractures, six spinal fractures, extensive bruising to her face, head and body and a traumatic brain

Steffon

Hewitt

“This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia”

injury.

Hewitt called emergency services claiming he’d found her unresponsive on the bathroom floor but she was dead when paramedics arrived.

He said he’d attempted CPR on his mother and that he ‘may have broken a few ribs’.

Medical enquiries showed that the extent of the fractures could not have been caused by him performing this procedure.

Detective Constable Nick Stocking, part of the team that led the murder investigation, said: “Hewitt showed no remorse when killing his mother

by inflicting significant and extensive injuries, resulting in what would have been a painful death.

“Vanita suffered from 28 fresh rib fractures and six fractures of her spine, alongside extensive bruising to her face, head and body. She also sustained a traumatic brain injury.

“This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia.

“A combination of forensic and medical evidence proved this was not true and it is right he will now face the consequences of his actions.”

Skepta, JME and Bloc Party are all coming to Crystal Palace Park this July

By Isabel Ramirez

SkePTA WILL headline his brandnew festival this July at Crystal Palace Park, during a full weekend of live music.

From Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July, the park will host a range of artists to suit all tastes in a full Festival Republic takeover.

Much-loved alt-rock five-piece The National will be kicking off 2024’s festivities with a headline show on Friday 5 July, alongside special guests Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

On Saturday 6 July, Mercury Prizewinning mogul Skepta will be taking over Crystal Palace Park with the very first Big Smoke Festival.

The new one-day music event will feature two stages of music personally curated by Skepta, with a star-studded, multi-genre line-up of artists set to make it an unmissable celebration of the music cultures he passionately drives forward.

Award-winning MC, producer, designer, director and founding member of seminal British grime collective Boy Better Know, Skepta unveiled his own label Más Tiempo in 2022.

Firmly rooted in the values of the UK’s thriving dance music community, the artist has elevated the house music scene to new heights while simultaneously serving as a pioneer of rap music in his own right.

The artist himself will headline the Big Smoke stage, with a full-scale festival show and his only UK performance of 2024.

He will be joined by The Streets (London exclusive), Mahalia, JME, Lancey, K-Trap, Odumodublvck, The Den featuring Frisco, Flowdan, Sir Spyro, Infamousizak, Manga, Thafirst and more.

Elsewhere, the Más Tiempo stage will see huge sets from the biggest international names in house, amapiano and beyond including Loco Dice, Uncle Waffles, Syreeta and Kitty Amor, with more TBC.

Finally Bloc Party are marking two decades of music with their biggest headline show to date on Sunday 7 July

The show will be part of celebrations marking 20 years since the band released their first proper single, with the promise of seminal debut record ‘Silent Alarm’ played in its entirety as well as more of their greatest hits.

Now the band are taking time to reflect by bringing a set spanning two decades and brimming with greatest hits to Crystal Palace Park.

Bloc Party will also be joined by muchloved indie outfit The Hives, in a UKexclusive appearance, renowned indiedance trio Friendly Fires, Merseyside alt-rock four-piece The Mysterines and bold breakthrough artist Connie Constance.

Tickets for all shows are available now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Southwark community gardens expanding amid fears that finances could stunt future growth

By Herbie Russell

COMM un IT y GA rdenS on estates across Southwark are flourishing but a councillor has expressed fears finances could stunt their future growth.

Southwark residents have set up seventeen new community gardens with 220 food-growing plots in the last three years.

But internal restructuring could mean less funding for future gardens and could “slow down” the expansion of community food-growing.

Speaking at the Environment and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission on Tuesday, February 27, Cllr Leo Pollak said the progress to date was “very gratifying”.

“This is very gratifying to see having been involved at the start of all this so amazing to see how this work has developed”, he said.

He added that the establishment of two part-time Community Gardening

Coordinator (CGC) posts, who’ve spearheaded the expansions, was “fantastic”.

However, the Labour councillor for South Bermondsey also raised concerns about future funding.

The Allotment Expansion Guarantee (AEG) has now moved away from the auspices of the Great Estates programme.

This means there is no dedicated capital budget for the AEG and it must instead rely on an agreed revenue budget of £35k plus £70k from the Housing Revenue Accounts.

The main capital costs of setting up new gardens and growing plots will now have to be funded through fundraising by each gardening group. They can still apply for different pots of funding, but a council report said this “slows down the process of new gardens being built”.

Cllr Pollak asked: “Is there capacity in the council… to identify large-scale capital funding to help roll out this

guarantee at scale and re-energise the whole movement further?”

A council officer admitted reduced access to funds had forced them to work in “a different way” but said “groups are still coming through the process”.

However, they added that a “larger pot of money” had not been identified “as yet”.

There are now roughly 60 community gardens based on estates, schools and woodlands across the borough.

If you’re interested in setting up an allotment or community garden, visit the Commonplace page, fill out the Expression of Interest form and put a pin on the map to show us where you’d like to create a new allotment.

Alternatively, email communitygardening@southwark. gov.uk or call 0207 525 1251 leaving your details and the Community Gardening Coordinators will be in touch to find out more about your space.

Deborah Peñate Gómez Residents have built allotments on

Rapper Skepta

mArthA’srulerOll-Out me Ans girl’s de Ath ‘nOt tOtAlly in vAin’

By Herbie Russell

A ru L e allowing patients to get second opinions on their treatment will be rolled out across the nhS after the death of a girl, 13, at King’s college hospital.

Martha Mills died from sepsis in 2021 because her symptoms were missed and staff failed to escalate her to intensive care.

The NHS has now announced that ‘Martha’s Rule’ will be introduced in at least 100 hospitals meaning patients can get urgent reviews if their conditions deteriorate.

Merope Mills and Paul Laity, Martha’s parents, said: “Our daughter was quite something: fun and determined, with a vast appetite for life and so many plans and ambitions – we’ll never know what she would have achieved with all her talents. Hers was a preventable death, but ‘Martha’s Rule’ will mean that she didn’t die completely in vain.”

Martha Mills died after sustaining a laceration to her pancreas in a bike accident on a family holiday in Wales. She later developed sepsis while being treated at King’s College Hospital, in Denmark Hill.

An inquest into her death heard that she would have survived had consultants moved her to intensive care sooner.

The implementation of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in the NHS will take a phased approach, beginning from April.

Participating sites have not been decided yet. At least 100 adult and paediatric acute provider sites already offering a 24/7 critical care outreach capability will be chosen.

Under the new scheme, hospitals will receive government funding for posters and leaflets informing patients and their families that they can directly ask for a “rapid review” of their treatment, NHS England said. A senior doctor or nurse from elsewhere in the building, who specialises in the care of deteriorating

patients, will conduct the review.

The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors, said welcomed the scheme, but said it would need to be carefully monitored before being fully rolled out.

Dr Vishal Sharma, who chairs BMA consultants committee, said: “For this to result in improvements for patients, it is essential that the current workforce crisis is addressed so that critical care outreach teams have the necessary staff they need to deliver this initiative.”

Ms Mills said she was “pleased”, because patients and families had a “role to play”. Sometimes, doctors are incredibly overstretched,” she said. “And they cannot always spot the same changes in a patient that family and patients themselves can.”

Southwark man jailed over shoddy £22,000 roof works

By Herbie Russell

A SOuThWArk man has been jailed after taking £22,000 for shoddy roof works that started leaking after six weeks.

Darren Conroy was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment on February 21 at Snaresbrook Crown Court after admitting to money laundering and converting criminal property.

The court heard how the victim was quoted £43,000 for works worth £2,250 by the fake company London Top Roofing Ltd.

The scam began on December 2, 2020, when two individuals calling themselves ‘James’ and ‘Richard’, convinced an Islington resident their roof needed replacing.

Claiming they were from London Top Roofing Ltd, they quoted the resident £43,000, and demanded a deposit of £22,000.

The deposit was paid into Conroy’s personal account who ‘James’ and ‘Richard’ called ‘the big boss’.

The work to replace the roof was due to start the next day, but ‘James’ and

‘Richard’ did not show up. The pair were never identified.

Instead, another roofing company was subcontracted to carry out the work.

A payment of £3,500 was made to them from Mr Conroy’s account. However, the company also charged the resident £3,655 for building materials and labour.

Meanwhile, the resident was receiving a barrage of messages from ‘James’, demanding a further £21,000.

Islington Council’s Trading Standards team were contacted and launched an investigation.

Officers discovered London Top Roofing Ltd did not exist as a limited company and their website was a “fake front”.

A report by an expert surveyor found the roof replacement was unnecessary and substandard.

This was confirmed when the roof started leaking six weeks after it was replaced.

The report said the real value of the work was no more than £2,250.

Mr Conroy was found to have received the money through the fraud. Within two days, he had paid it all out to either his

Inspirational Tony’s £1.8 million fundraising drive

By Herbie Russell

A nine-ye A r-old boy who raised £1.8 million for the hospital that saved his life is “proud” to be honoured at its new children’s centre.

On a visit to Evelina Hospital’s new space-themed facility, Tony Hudgell was “so happy” to look up and see himself depicted as an astronaut.

The inspirational Kent lad, who had both legs amputated in 2017, is the youngest person ever recognised in the New Year Honours List.

The brand-new Children’s Day Treatment Centre opened in July 2023 with over 1,180 children already benefitting from its services so far.

own personal or business accounts, or withdrawn it.

He had also transferred money to the sub-contracted roofing company.

Islington Council brought Mr Conroy to justice by showing the victim had paid the money directly into his bank account, and that Mr Conroy either knew or had reason to believe that the money was from fraud.

As part of the sentencing process, Islington will ask the court to award compensation to the victim to alleviate financial losses from the scam.

Cllr John Woolf, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: ‘It’s very distressing that one of our residents was targeted by criminals in their own home, where they should feel safe. We want everyone in Islington to have a safe place to call home, as we work to build a more equal future for us all.

“Thanks to the relentless work of our Trading Standards and Legal Services teams, this perpetrator has faced justice. We have zero tolerance for fraud in Islington and will take similar tough action against anyone attempting to exploit our residents.”

Mum Paula Hudgell said: “I could not be prouder of our boy - his strength and determination brightens our every day - and we hope his fundraising helps bring smiles to all the children who walk through the hospital’s doors.”

Tony has received life-saving treatment at the children’s hospital since he was a baby after he was assaulted by his birth parents at 41 days old.

The attack, which caused multiple fractures and dislocations, and blunt trauma to the face, led to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis.

He was left untreated and in agony for ten days and, due to the extent of his injuries, both his legs were amputated.

Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith were jailed for 10 years in 2018.

Fitted with prosthetics in 2020, Tony challenged himself to walk every day in June to raise money for Evelina Hospital.

He raised £1.8 million with £500,000 put towards the new Children’s Day Surgery Unit which puts everything needed for day surgeries in one familyfriendly space.

During the tour, Tony was asked to look up and was thrilled to see himself portrayed as an astronaut on the ceiling tile, saying: “I’m so happy and proud.”

Four charged with stolen goods offences after local police investigate phone thefts

By Herbie Russell

An In V eSTIGATIOn into phone thefts by Southwark-based police has seen four men charged with stolen goods offences.

Zakaria Senadjki, 30 (03.04.1993), Riyadh Mamouni, 25 (06.01.1999), Nazih Cheraitia, 33 (02.04.1990) and Ahmed Belhanafi, 25 (18.12.1998), were charged on Tuesday, February 27. The men, all from West London, are accused of dishonestly receiving stolen goods and conspiracy to commit fraud by making a false representation between December 2022 and February 2024.

Officers conducted raids on Monday, February 26, seizing multiple suspected stolen mobile phones.

Police also recovered assets allegedly linked to fraudulent activity.

The charges follow an investigation by Met officers into multiple phone and identification document thefts across London.

All four men appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 27, and have been remanded in custody. They will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, March 26.

Anyone who is a victim of a robbery or who has seen a robbery take place should dial 999 immediately.

Tony Hudgell during his Evelina Children’s Day Surgery visit

cAnAdA wAter bus stAtiOn clOsed fOr six week tO get mOre stOps

By Isabel Ramirez

CAnAdA WATer bus station will close until mid-April whilst more bus stops are created, TfL has confirmed.

The station was closed last Saturday, March 2 and will remain out of action for around six weeks while the upgrade works are completed.

The works include refurbishing the canopy, improving the roads and walkways by the station and creating extra space for future bus services.

Once complete, there will be more bus stops and the area allocated for bus stands at this facility. It will allow more buses to serve the bus station, increasing public transport capacity and in turn enabling the delivery of housing schemes in both Southwark and Lewisham.

According to a TfL spokesperson, the work is necessary to accommodate the expected increase in demand arising from an anticipated demand for over 10,000 new homes in the area and improve facilities and transport links for existing passengers.

Bus routes affected during the closure include 1, 47, 188, 199, 225, 381, N199, P12, N381 and C10. The information window will remain open for customers.

Customers are advised to use nearby alternative bus stops. Stops A, B1, B2, C and D inside the bus station will be closed until mid-April, as well as stops F and G on Surrey Quays Road with buses being diverted, or stopping short of their usual destinations.

For example, routes 1, 199 or 225 to get to Canada Water Tube and Overground Station will terminate on Rotherhithe Old Road by Surrey Quays Station.

Therefore, customers are advised to alight at stop S and wait at the same stop for routes 47, 188 or 381 and alight at stop U with Canada Water Station.

Despite the bus station closure, Canada Water Underground and London Overground station will remain open.

Glynn Barton, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “The improvements to Canada Water Bus Station will mean a more convenient and comfortable experience for customers using the station. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused during this time and we’d like to thank

customers for their patience and understanding while the work takes place.

“There will be temporary bus diversions and bus-stopping changes while the works are being completed. Customers will still be able to make all existing journeys with the temporary arrangements.

“Customers are encouraged to check their journeys using TfL’s website or the TfL Go app and allow plenty of time for their journeys during this time. Full details of the changes to bus routes and alternative stopping arrangements during the closure can be found by visiting our website.”

The project is being paid for mainly through the central government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) and is on land which is already owned by TfL and is being repurposed. HIF, local developers, Southwark and TfL are also funding other transport upgrades in the area to support active travel and public transport.

HIF is funding £98million for transport upgrades including at Surrey Quays Station and Canada Water Bus Station.

Helicopter deployed after teen wounded

By Herbie Russell

A TeenAGer has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in Brixton with an air ambulance landing in the area.

Police were called to Loughborough Park at 4.25pm on Tuesday, February 27, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers responded and a seventeen-

year-old boy suffering stab wounds was rushed to hospital by paramedics. His condition has been assessed as neither life-threatening nor lifechanging. There have been no arrests.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) also deployed an air ambulance which was seen hovering over Brixton and reportedly landed in Wyck Gardens.

The London Ambulance Service

Peckham shop with 300-year-old rural roots saved from redevelopment

(LAS) dispatched an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast-response car and an incident response officer.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called yesterday (Tuesday 27 February) at 4:23pm to reports of a stabbing in Loughborough Park, SW9.

“We sent a number of resources including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“We treated a patient at the scene before taking them to a London major trauma centre.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way after a teenager was injured in a stabbing in Lambeth.

“We were called at 16:25hrs on Tuesday, 27 February to reports of a stabbing in Loughborough Park, SW9.

“Officers responded and a 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital by paramedics with a stab wound. His condition was assessed as not life-threatening or lifechanging.

Anyone with information is asked call police on 101 quoting CAD 5109/27Feb.

EXCLUSIVE

By Herbie Russell

A PeCkhAM shop with its roots in the area’s 18th-century rural past has been protected from redevelopment after receiving roughly 100 objections.

A developer had planned to adapt 104 Peckham High Street, which has had a building on the site since around 1720, and build four flats above.

Campaigners insisted the building was an “integral part” of the wider 98 to 104 Peckham High Street terrace, which has features and styles dating back 300 years.

The scheme’s architect argued 104 had been entirely modernised since it stood surrounded by south London’s fields meaning its “historical merit” was “entirely dispelled”.

Southwark Council officers refused planning permission on Tuesday, February 27, due to its “substantial harm” to a “heritage asset”.

Now a derelict shop, the original building was a one-room townhouse housing inhabited by artisans or labourers.

Since then, the building has been “entirely modernised”, according to a 1998 Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England report.

The report said: “The cornice is gone and the front rebuilt. No evidence for timber-frame construction was seen, nor does the early building retain a staircase.”

Highlighting this report, Dean Lewis Architects, which designed the proposed scheme, had argued “there is little, if anything remaining in the way

of heritage at 104”.

The building, which bares a St Noren Beauty Centre sign, would have undergone four-storey rear extension and three-storey roof extension

Deep window reveals would “draw on” the building’s original look and the four flats would be “high-quality”, the architect said.

The architect added: “We are concerned that the heritage group are taking a very narrow stance in terms of aged properties along Peckham High Street.

“Especially in the light of the large number of derelict properties and abandoned upper stories, that currently exist.”

Despite being rebuilt over the years, campaigners always said the 98 to 104 terrace shouldn’t be adapted.

Eileen Conn, spokesperson for local campaign group Peckham Vision, had said the buildings “provide a real sense of the rural village that was Peckham before it developed into the London we know today”.

She added: “104 Peckham High Street is an integral part of that terrace and its demolition would ruin this important heritage.”

The terrace is among Southwark Council’s Local List of important buildings, described by officers as reflecting “Peckham’s past as a rural village”, which proved key to the permission being refused.

In 2020, a similar application for 104’s redevelopment was refused because it would “lead to a loss of the historic building line”.

A council officer wrote that, despite being “significantly altered”, the buildings “retain the small scale of the village” and reflect the originals’ “vernacular styles”.

The Peckham Heritage Regeneration Partnership recently restored nine historic buildings on Peckham High Street, including number 102.

A computergenerated image of what the development would have looked like.

A reader sent in footage of the an air ambulance over Brixton

Southwark Planning Documents

Google Maps

cOuncil’s speciAl educAtiOn needs depArtment given lOwest pOssible rAting in recent repOrt

By Joe Coughlan Local Democracy Reporter

Bexley council’S special education needs department has been given the lowest possible rating by Ofsted, with many children having educational, health and care plans that were ‘well out of date’. The authority has been told by the council and South east London Integrated Care Board to urgently address significant concerns which reportedly arose from ‘systemic failings’.

The inspector said in their report that the quality of children’s educational, health and care (EHC) plans varied considerably. They added that children were not supported to prepare for adult life early enough and their voices were not heard well.

The report said: “Too many children and young people across different ages and phases have an EHC plan that is well out of date and does not reflect their current needs or provision… These and other significant weaknesses all combine to mean that children and young people do not receive the right support at the right time.”

The Bexley Labour Group said in a statement that the council had an ‘inconsistent’ approach in devising EHC plans. It added that the authority’s cabinet members had

previously suggested problems with the plans were due to mistakes made by schools, parents and carers.

The group said: “We have consistently raised the concerns of parents specifically around the areas of EHC plans and yet these concerns have been ignored. We have continuously raised the fact that many parents were getting in touch to let us know that EHC plans were either out of date, insufficient and in some cases had not been issued.”

However, the authority was praised for its ambition to put significant investment into increasing the places in special schools. Children were said to achieve well academically and young adults with learning disabilities reportedly had their health needs reviewed annually.

The inspector said in their report: “Leaders across the partnership take opportunities to listen to the views of parents, including through the parent carer forum, known as Bexley Voice. The regular ‘tea and talk’ sessions help professionals from across education, health and social care to interact with parents, for example in group sessions.”

The Bexley Local Area Partnership, which includes Bexley Council and the South East London Integrated Care Board, said in a statement that it was disappointed with the outcome of the recent inspection. It acknowledged

the need to make improvements in certain areas to meet the needs of children and young people in the borough.

The statement said: “As a partnership, we had already identified some of the areas that the inspection highlighted, through selfevaluation and joint working, and commenced delivery on these.”

It added: “The partnership has acted swiftly and is currently developing an

action plan to address the remaining issues highlighted by inspectors. This includes listening to the voices of children and young people when designing and providing relevant support services, and recognising the need to work as an integrated partnership to guarantee consistent access to therapeutic services to meet their needs. We will endeavour to continually improve and provide the highest quality of care to those who

access our SEND support services.”

The report said a monitoring inspection will be carried out on the council within 18 months, followed by a full reinspection within three years.

The authority is also required to send a priority action plan to address the areas needed for improvement.

hotel applies to remove combustible cladding

By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter

A hOTeL in Greenwich has sent plans to remove combustible cladding from its building following assessments made after the Grenfell Tower fire. premier Inn on Greenwich high road has sent an application to the council to have combustible materials on its building removed.

Planning documents from Axiom Architects said the application was sent on behalf of Whitbread PLC, the owners of Premier Inn. The plans involve replacing the seven-storey building’s existing outer coating with a new mineral wool insulated render.

It said: “It is proposed to replace the existing combustible material on the building with material that has noncombustible properties. The extent of the proposed works consists of installation of a new insulated render system and a new rainscreen cladding system.”

The project also seeks to remove timber planks in the structure’s cladding and replace them with cement boards textured to resemble wood. The hotel was cited as having 158 rooms over six floors.

A Premier Inn spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “As a responsible business we proactively manage our estate on an ongoing basis. Currently, we are in the process of obtaining planning permission for modifications to the external wall at Premier Inn London

Greenwich. With the council’s permission we hope to commence the work soon.”

The spokesperson added that the company had its estate of hotels assessed by independent fire safety experts in the days and months following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. They added that a small number of hotels were deemed to no longer meet building regulations but did however remain entirely safe to operate.

They added: “This is because of the robust fire safety features and evacuation protocols at our hotels, which include bedroom doors which are fire-resistant and self-closing to prevent fire spreading; sub-divided corridors separated by fire resistant doors; multiple means of exit; and the presence

of smoke detectors and fire alarms in every single bedroom. Our teams, who are present in all our hotels 24-hours a day, are also well-trained in the safety procedures to follow at the first sign of fire.”

The application for the hotel follows another application last month to replace combustible cladding on a tower block in Woolwich town centre. Comer has sent plans to remove ‘high risk’ materials from Maritime House on the corner of Thomas Street and Greens End.

The 12 storey building including 86 flats was converted from offices to a residential block in 2002, which saw steel and glass balconies being added to each flat on the structure. Materials to be replaced include

timber decking on the balconies and panels on the building’s elevations.

Planning documents from FR Consultants, on behalf of Comer, said: “The presence of combustible materials has been identified within the external facades of Maritime House and therefore it is proposed to replace these with non-combustible materials… These materials need to be replaced in order to safeguard the building from the spread of fire across the external wall materials and through any associated cavities.”

The plans said the new materials for Maritime House will be selected to replicate the existing look of the building. The works will reportedly be funded by the Building

Safety Fund from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Government scheme was set up following the Grenfell Tower fire to compensate for works required to replace cladding in buildings over 11 metres tall. Comer was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.

Picture: Bexley Civic Centre, where Bexley Council is based. Credit: Google Earth

Picture 1: Maritime House, as seen from General Gordon Square in Woolwich. Credit: Google Earth

Picture 2: The Premier Inn hotel on Greenwich High Road. Credit: Google Earth

The Sweet Life

Just in time for Easter weekend, the new Chocolate House Greenwich exhibition is set to open at Old Royal Naval College, celebrating the Enlightenment and all things Chocolate.

The 18th Century was hot chocolate’s heyday and you can now step back in time to discover its key role in the revival of Greenwich and

Opening later this month, a new exhibition at Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College is telling the delicious history of the area’s chocolate houses, writes Eliza Frost...

experience a recreation of Grace and Thomas Tosier’s famous “royal” Chocolate House.

From Friday 29 March to Sunday 3 November 2024, you can explore the complex history of chocolate, and its surprising role at the heart of new cultural and scientific conversations at the time.

Helen White, senior interpretation manager at the Old Royal Naval College, says: “This new exhibition will offer visitors the chance to discover the history and appeal of chocolate as a fashionable and elegant luxury drink in 18th-century Greenwich.

“It will trace the story of chocolate from its origins in Central America to its role as a mark of sophistication

among London’s Enlightenment movers and shakers.”

In the early 18th Century, Greenwich became a popular destination for those in search of elegant surroundings and was a hub for astronomy, science and culture. The Tosier Chocolate House, located in what became known as Chocolate Row, became a social space for the leading figures of the day.

The exhibition tells the story of Greenwich’s rich chocolate history, White explains: “Grace Tosier’s famous Chocolate House was part of the regeneration of Greenwich in the early 1700s when Sir Christopher Wren’s iconic architectural project, the Royal Hospital for Seamen, was reviving the fortunes of the town. Greenwich was a place on the up and was fast

becoming a popular destination for people of sophisticated tastes.”

She adds: “We have recreated the Tosier Chocolate House favoured by courtiers and ambassadors of the time. The audio and visual experience presents the flamboyant proprietor, Grace Tosier, and a chance to listen in on great minds of the day, including architect and astronomer Sir Christopher Wren, writer and diarist John Evelyn, the first Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, and playwright and architect John Vanbrugh.”

A series of events will also complement the exhibition, including an Easter Trail for families, a Choco-Late this summer, and a series of hands-on chocolate-themed and chocolate-making workshops.

Dates: Friday 29 March to Sunday 3 November 2024

Tickets: Included as part of Painted Hall ticket (£15, rising to £16.50 from 1 April 2024).

Children go free Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN ornc.org/whats-on/chocolatehouse-greenwich

By Isabel Ramirez

A dulWicH-BASed newspaper owner has been nominated for a Southwark Blue Plaque.

James Henderson (1823-1906) started working for his local paper and became a key figure in developing the popular press and comics in Britain.

Despite being from Scotland, half of his life was spent in East Dulwich, where he lived from 1864 until shortly before he died. He and his family had lived in a large ‘villa’ named Adon Mount. His first newspaper gig was covering his local beat, at the Montrose Standard. He then moved to Glasgow where he worked for the North British Daily Mail and a publishing company, before setting up his own business.

In 1855, he launched the Glasgow Daily News, the UK’s first daily penny newspaper, as well as The Weekly News and General Advertiser.

Perhaps too bold of a move for the time, neither took off and his company collapsed. Having dipped his toe in the water and ironed out the kinks, his success truly began when he left Scotland.

After arriving in England he was appointed manager of the Leeds Express, followed by the Manchester Guardian, and in 1861, he set up The Weekly Budget. This paper was the first to combine stories with daily news. It was so popular that he transferred his offices from Manchester to Fleet

Street in London, and by 1865 the Budget claimed to have the largest provincial circulation of any newspaper in the UK.

The same year he founded the weekly South London Press and in 1868 he launched The Evening Mercury, London’s first ever halfpenny evening paper.

In 1871, came the illustrated magazine Young Folks, which first published three of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novels in serial form before they became books – Treasure Island, The Black Arrow and Kidnapped.

Then in 1874, he published Funny Folks, the world’s first modern comic.

Many future great newspapermen had been employed by Henderson in their youth, including Alfred Harmsworth (later Lord Northcliffe), founder of The Daily Mail and owner of The Times, and Sir Arthur Pearson, founder of The Daily Express.

Dr Mark Bryant, a historian who lives on the former site of Henderson’s mansion, told us why he nominated him.

“When my wife and I moved to East Dulwich twelve years ago we were intrigued to discover that our house was built on the site of the home of the pioneering newspaperman James Henderson.”

Dr Bryant explained that as a writer himself and former Secretary both of the London Press Club and the British Cartoonists’ Association, he was

sOuthwArk blue plAQues: JAmes hendersOn, trAilblAZing newspAper fOunder

fascinated and immediately began to research the then-largely forgotten press magnate. He managed to track down some of Henderson’s relatives and was inspired by his ‘remarkable’ life story - prompting him to write several

articles detailing it for the local press and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Dr Bryant continued: “Often when I stand in our hilltop garden looking south across London, I can imagine the outline of Adon Mount behind me and

the great bearded Fleet Street figure looking out of his window at the same view.

“It is very appropriate that he should be commemorated with a Southwark Heritage Blue Plaque and I urge readers to vote for him.”

He added that Henderson was ‘very involved’ in the local community, chairing several charitable organisations serving the people of Southwark.

As if he didn’t have enough strings to his bow already, Henderson was also a noted horticulturist (his gardens were open to the public), property developer and even stood as Liberal MP for Dulwich, though he lost to the Tory candidate, John Blundell Maple.

His time as a property developer began on his own street - one he built in fact, named Mount Adon Park. As well as his villa, he developed the neighbouring ten houses.

Henderson retired to Worthing in Sussex, in about 1900. He died there in 1906, aged 82 - but was buried in East Dulwich, on the Wood Vale side of Camberwell Old Cemetery.

His most famous venture, The South London Press, was sold to outside interests just after he passed (1907) and in 1910 the Weekly Budget was sold to American publisher Randolph Hearst.

To vote for James Henderson for a Southwark Blue Plaque please email isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

Neil Henderson, great-grandson of James Henderson

Neighbourhood

Feb - 16th April 2024

Where:

Walworth

Tuesdays 10am-2pm

Week 1 (6th Feb) Orientation & introduction. Understanding local democracy with a focus on council decision making.

HALF-TERM (13th Feb) – no session

Week 2 (20th Feb) Methods for mass engagement. Test new skills, including phone banking, street canvassing and door knocking.

Week 3 (27th Feb) Challenging power and privilege (Part 1: Relationships and local dynamics at an individual and system level).

Week 4 (5th Mar) Challenging power & privilege (Part 2) + Conflict resolution in community settings (Part 1)

Week 5 (12th Mar) Conflict resolution in Community Settings (part 2). How do we navigate conflict and negotiate? + Interim reflections

Week 6 (19th Mar) Building collective visions. What is collective visioning, and how do we do it? How could it help us in local action?

Week 7 (26th March) Session planning & facilitation skills.

Week 8 (2nd Apr) Storytelling & public narrative (Part 1: Story of Self). Tools for storytelling that supports local action.

Week 9 (9th April) Storytelling & public narrative (Part 2: Story of Us).

www.southlondon.co.uk

MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGES

To my lovely Helena, thank you for hugging me, taking care of me and squeezing me every night. You’re my best friend, mum and superhero.

Love Flopsy

“To Barbara H, thank you for being a brilliant mum to our beautiful daughter Helena (5).

Love you always Richard”

Lauren Baker. Happy Mother’s Day. Have A Lovely Day. Love You All The World, To The Moon and Beyond. Love, Lily -Rose, Ted and Jamie Jr. xxx 

Dear Mummy:

To the best Mummy in the world. We love you to the moon and back. Thank you for everything you do for us. You are the best. Lots of love Luca and Maya

What would we do without your wisdom?

Thank you, Mama, for being patient and teaching us to be our authentic selves. You are our inspiration, and we love you 

Ari & Chanelle x

Dear mama

Thank you so much for everything you do for all of us, and how strong you are dealing with Beth’s Huntington’s disease and how well you look after her, sorry for all the drama I put you through love you unconditionally

Lots of love from Johnny Bill Beth and Lucy

Happy Mother’s Day Mum hope you have a good day Love from Chloe, Jack and Jay xxxx

Happy Mother’s Day mum hope u have a good day love from your daughter Kelly

Happy Mother’s Day 2 the best mum in the world Toni shields lots of love Paige Riley & Teddy 

Happy Mother’s Day to our lovely mummy. We know it’s going to be a hard one but remember we love you so much. You do everything for us and you always make sure we’re happy. You are one in a million and we’re very lucky to have you. Lots of love Freddi, Dean and Millie.

Happy Mother’s Day Mummy bear. It’s the first one without you and I miss you so much. You were the bestest Mummy bear ever and I will love and miss you forever. Lots of love your baby bear (Leigh-Ann) XXX

Happy heavenly Mother’s Day Nanny. We all miss you loads but we’re looking after Mummy for you. Love you Nanny from Dean, Millie and Freddi. XXX

To our beautiful Mumma & Nanny Lorraine, Happy Mother’s day, We love you all the world & more. Love you lots Jade, Skye, Danielle, Sonny & Joey Xx

Happy heavenly Mother’s Day

Chris Osborne loving Mum, Nan and Great nan who is loved and missed greatly xxxxx

Happy Mother’s Day

Nanny Peggy

Love From Ben X

Happy Mother’s Day Mummy

Lots of Love Zenas & Nexus Xx

Happy Mother’s Day

Nan Annie

Love From Joanne, Daniel, Chris & Katie xxxx

Annie Happy Mother’s Day

Love From Ben, Olly, Rose, Freddie Zenas & Nexus xxxxxx

Mum Lorraine

Happy Mother’s Day

Love From Joanne, Daniel, Chris & Katie xxxx

Nanny Lorraine Happy Mother’s Day

Love From Ben, Olly, Rose, Freddie Zenas & Nexus xxxxxx

Happy Mother’s Day Mummy

Lots of Love from Olly, Rose & Freddie xxx

Happy Mother’s Day Mum

Love From Ben X

Happy Mother’s Day

To these special women Stacey Terrey, Danielle Terrey, Ivy Ogrady and Julie Terrey Love Yous All The World An More Elsie-Lou Albie an Millie Dolly Stacey An Danielle xxxx

Sending love to the best Mum(Regeana) in the world and to my Nanny Nina. Happy Mothers’ Day From Haydn King

To Mum, Happy Mother’s Day hope you have a wonderful day and like all your gifts. Have the best day ever.

Lots of love from your children Joe, Katie, Amy, Lucy and your grandchildren Jake, Madison, Lola, Isla Xxxxxxx

To the best mum ever we love you lots from James, Louie, Callum, Lyla and Tallulah xxx

My Mum, my role model, my inspiration. You have the biggest heart, thank you for loving me unconditionally, I am truly proud to be your Daughter. All my love forever and always, Tracy xxx

Miss You Mum. Wish you was here. Michael & Patrick

Happy Mother’s Day to the best MUM/NAN

EVER! We hope your is as special as you are to us lots of love always Toni, Paige, Riley & Teddy xxx

To the best mum ever lots off Jad, Tulay, Billy and Danny xxx

To the best Nanny ever lots off love from James, Louie, Callum, Hallie-Rae, riley, Ronnie, archie and Dottie xxx thank you xxx

Wishing you a Mother’s Day full of rest, relaxation, and appreciation for everything you do with love, hugs, and smiles. Love Alexa, George and Arthur x

To Gemma

Happy Mother’s Day! Your children are so lucky to call you their mum, and I am so lucky to call you, my wife. Love Tony x

I am so blessed to have a Mum like you.

JAYNE. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. TO THE BEST MUM IN THE WORLD. WITH LOVE FROM JOSH AND JESS.

Dear Nana:

Happy Nana’s Day. We love you to the moon and back and love being with you. We love all the fun things we do. Enjoy your special day. Lots of love, Luca and Maya xxx

Happy Mother’s Day Mum (Shirley Nicholson) You are so special in every way. Thank you for being you. Hope you have a great day. Lots of love, Julie xxx

To Mum , Happy Mother day , you are the best Mum ever Love from kaylie xx

Mum you are the very best - always loving and caring and supporting me and us all. I love you so much Chris xxx

To Sue , Happy mother day thank you for being the best mother to our 5 kids Love Gary xx

To my wonderful wife sue, Thank you for always caring for our children and being the best mother to them Love from your husband Gary xx

Happy Mother’s Day Mum/Nana love Sarah Leo and Callie xxxxx

Happy mother’s day to our wonderful Mum Sarah Crawford lots of love Leo and Callie xxx

Katie Jones

Best Mum in the world

Thanks for everything you do for us Love Callum, Brooke, Kieron & Mia xxx

Our Mummy SARA JONES is the best

We love her lots and lot’s. From Alyssiah-Rose, Theodore & Baby Arabella xxx

Happy Mother’s Day to an awesome Mum & Nanny we all love you lots xxxx

Happy Mother’s day Nanny Mags, love the grandkids xxx

Happy heavenly Mother’s day MAGGIE DUFFIN, The best Mum/Nan there was. Love & miss you always!

Love Jo, Nick, Kelly, Chelsea, Ted, tilly, Billie & Ivy- Rose xxxHappy Mother’s day Joanne white.

Have the best day, Love Teddy & Tilly xx

Happy Mother’s day Katie Jukes, Thanks for everything you do for me. Always love Maisie xxx

Happy Mother’s day Kelly Duffin. Lots of love Billie xx

Happy Mother’s day Donna Saxby, We love you.

Lilly, Harry and Reg xx

Happy Mother’s day Claire Frewin, Thanks for everything. We love you lots. Mason & Archie xx

Happy Mother’s day to the best mum in the world. Hayley Cook.

Love Ralph & Darcie xxx

Happy Mother’s day Chelsea Duffin, Have a lovely day.

Love Ivy-Rose xx

Happy Mother’s Day to Chrissie Baker, the Best Mother Nanny and partner we could ever ask for, we love you all the world have a fantastic day love from Jonfon Lauren Johnboy Katie Lily-Rose Teddy Brooke-Lyn Josie and Ellie-May xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx x

Mum You’re the best mum in the world love you

Lucy B

To our lovely Mum Joan,have a wonderful Mothers day,lots of love from Jason, Cora,and family! X

Happy Mother’s Day Pearl White have the best day Love Jo Nick and kids xxx

Third Anniversary 10th March 2024

Claddagh, Galway City/ Peckham, London

Memorial

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) (CLAYTON ROAD, CONSORT ROAD, MARIGOLD STREET, STONEY STREET, SUTHERLAND SQUARE, COLOMBO STREET, DUNSTANS ROAD, PECKHAM RYE) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it made, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

3.(a) Clayton Road, at it’s junction with Consort Road

(b) Consort Road, at it’s junction with Clayton Road

(c) Marigold Street, between Cranbourn Passage to side of Cranbourn House.

(d) Stoney Street, between No’s 3 – No’s 9

(e) Sutherland Square, between No’s 51

(f) Colombo Street, (Northbound side) between Meymott Street and Paris Garden

(g) Dunstans Road, Side of 219 Underhill Road

(h) Peckham Rye, between Scylla Road and Nunhead Passage

4.the alternative routes for affected traffic will be indicated by the signs displayed

5.Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is practical without interference with the execution of the said works.

6.The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

7.The works will be in operation for (2a) 16th March (2b) 16th March (2c) 21st March – 8th April (2d) 18th – 20th March (2e) 20th – 21st March (2f) 18th – 25th March (2g) 18th – 29th March (2h) 16th – 17th March

8.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 7th March 2024

Ian Law Traffic Manager London Borough of Southwark Network Management Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529

London SE1 5LX

Ref: (2a) CLAYTONTREE (2b) CONSORTTREE (2c) BER2-MARIST-01 (2d) LBSCR13379 (2e) LBSCR13384 (2f) P95930N0020070/R107 (2g) TML-SOWA-NL-316214 (2h) 6850/LBSCR13173/8

Press Briefing

New Council Tax for 2024-25

Following Council Assembly on 21 February 2024 and the meeting of the Council Tax Setting Committee on 23 February 2024 Southwark’s council tax for the year April 2024 to March 2025 have been finalised. This includes the new precept from the Greater London Authority which was finalised on 22 February 2024.

The Southwark element of council tax has increased by 2.99% and there is a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care precept, a total of 4.99%. This is the maximum permitted increase. The Greater London Authority have increased their precept by 8.58%. The total overall council tax increase is 5.91%.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 enabled councils to raise certain new levies. From 1 April 2024 Southwark will levy a 100% premium on homes left empty after one year (previously two years). From 1 April 2025 Southwark will levy a new 100% premium on second homes. This notice complies with the statutory duty to give one year notice for the new premium on second homes.

Council Assembly:

https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=7690

Council Tax Setting Committee: https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=667&MId=7916

Cabinet: https://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=302&MId=7680&Ver=4

www.southwark.gov.uk/followus

www.southwark.gov.uk

The Council of the London Borough of Southwark PUBLIC NOTICE: ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 16A THE (RESTRICTION OF VEHICLES/WAITING & LOADING) SPECIAL EVENTS ORDER 2024 (GALLERY ROAD)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark, hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Traffic Order under section 16 (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specified in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.

2.The purpose of the Order is to facilitate a Rugby Tournament

3.The effect of the Order will be to introduce ‘at any time’ waiting and loading restrictions on the north side of Gallery Road from the Dulwich Picture Gallery for approximately 150m in a southerly direction.

The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:

(a) any vehicle being used for the purposes of this event or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes

(b) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by the London Borough of Southwark.

(c) The Order will be effective on Saturday 9th March between 07:00hrs and 16:00hrs

4.For information relating to this notice contact ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 28th March 2024

Ian Law (Traffic Manager)

London Borough of Southwark, Network Management, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street, PO Box 64529 London SE1 5LX. Ref: DYL/Gallery

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

(OLD JAMAICA ROAD, EMPRESS STREET, LEDBURY STREET, COBOURG ROAD, DALWOOD STREET, KEETONS ROAD, LONCROFT ROAD, GEDLING PLACE, AMBROSE STREET)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND TEMPORARY WAITING & LOADING RESTRICTIONS)

1.The Council of the London Borough of Southwark hereby gives notice that to enable various works to be carried out, it intends, to make, an order, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicular traffic from entering part of the above named roads.

2.Whilst the works are in progress, or whilst the authorised traffic signs/road markings are displayed, no person shall cause any vehicle to enter, proceed, stop, wait, load or unload at any time in:

(a) Old Jamaica Road, between Thurland Road and Abbey Street

(b) Empress Street, located between Fielding Street and it’s blocked end (railway bridge)

(c) Ledbury Street, between Bird in Bush Road and Comercial Way

(d) Cobourg Road, between No’s 102 to 56m north of Neate Street

(e) Dalwood Street, between Havil Street to 20m east into Dalwood Street

(f) Keetons Road, between Jamaica Road and Collett Road

(g) Loncroft Road, between Cobourg Road and No’s 47

(h) Gedling Place, between Abbey Street and Druid Street

(i) Ambrose Street, between Southwark Park Road and No’s 26

3.the alternative routes for affected traffic will be indicated by the signs displayed

4.Exemptions will be provided in the Order to permit reasonable access to premises, so far as it is ractical without interference with the execution of the said works.

5.The restrictions will not apply to any vehicle being used in connection with the said works, or for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform.

6.The works will be in operation for (2a) 21st March – 19th July (2b) 22nd – 23rd March (2c) 22nd – 23rd March (2d) 25th – 28th March (2e) 25th March – 20th April (2f) 25th March – 6th June (2g) 22th – 28th March (2h) 26th – 27th March (2i) 26th March – 2nd May

7.Further information may be obtained by contacting Road Network Management at ttmo@southwark.gov.uk

Dated this 7th March 2024

Ian Law

Traffic Manager

London Borough of Southwark Network Management

Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth 160 Tooley Street PO Box 64529

London SE1 5LX

Ref: (2a) BER3-OJR407-01 (2b) LBSCR13424 (2c) P230124130690600265 (2d) 78290332 (2e) 10308922 (2f) BER5-KERO122-01 (2g) 53794423 (2h) LBSCR13376 (2i) BER9-AMBR120-01

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Southwark intends, from 1st April 2024, to increase the charges for resident visitor permits, all other parking permits, paid for parking, Peckham car park season tickets and suspensions fees under sections 35C and 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The existing charges are detailed in the schedules below:

3. The new charges which will apply to all of the council’s existing controlled parking zones as well as the off-street car parks are detailed in the schedules below.

Virtual

Visitor Parking permits – 10 parking sessions

Visitor Parking permits – 60 parking sessions

Replacement of lost permit (all permit types)

Second resident parking permit

Area-wide permit (contractors & employees)

Southwark-wide permit (contractors & employees)

Business permits

Carer’s permits

Visitor Parking permits – 10 parking sessions

Visitor Parking permits – 60 parking sessions

Replacement of lost permit (all permit types)

Second resident parking permit Area-wide permit (contractors & employees) Southwark-wide permit (contractors & employees) Business

open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

Date application given to the Council: 1st March 2024

Notice of application for a Premises Licence.

Notice is hereby given that NEU BERLINER

LIMITED has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Berlin Doner Kebab, 118 Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 4JP for Late Night Refreshment On and Off Sales

Sunday to Saturday 23:00 to 02:00

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 2nd April 2024 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk

The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk

It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) PLANNING (LISTED BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990 (as amended)

The planning applications listed below can be viewed on the planning register at https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/ You can use facilities at your local library or 'My Southwark Service Points' to access the website.

How to comment on this application: You should submit your comments via the above link. Comments received will be made available for public viewing on the website. All personal information will be removed except your postal address. Online comments submitted without an email address will not be acknowledged and those marked 'confidential' will not be considered. Written comments can be submitted to; Southwark Council, Chief executive's department, Planning division, Development Management, PO Box 64529, London SE1 5LX.

Reason for publicity. The applications are advertised for the reasons identified by the following codes: AFFECT - development affecting character or appearance of a nearby conservation area; OR development affecting setting of a nearby listed building(s); DEP - departure from the development plan; EIA - environmental impact assessment (these applications are accompanied by an environmental statement a copy of which may be obtained from the Council - there will be a charge for the copy); MAJ - major planning application; STDCAdevelopment within a conservation area; STDLB - works to or within the site of a listed building;

LAND ADJACENT TO WARWICK COURT CHOUMERT ROAD (REAR OF 160-162 RYE LANE) LONDON SE15 4SH (Ref: 17/AP/1285)

Construction of a part two, part three and part four-storey block for co-living (Sui generis) comprised of 11 rooms with shared facilities, roof pavilion and roof terrace, external walkways, balconies and associated cycle and bin stores (Within: RYEL CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STD STDCA (Contact: Lara Davison )

WILLIAM BOOTH TRAINING COLLEGE CHAMPION PARK LONDON SOUTHWARK

SE5 (Ref: 24/AP/0430)

Listed building consent Enhancements to perimeter fences and addition of window guards in lieu of removal of section of fence (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDLB (Contact: Sandy Ng 020 7525 5000)

75 COURT LANE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7EF (Ref: 24/AP/0403)

Demolition of the existing lean-to rear side extension, construction of ground floor single storey side extension. Construction of second floor roof dormer and installation of 2no. rear rooflights. Rear external landscaping. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210)

75 DOVERCOURT ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE22 8UW (Ref: 24/AP/0355)

Construction of a single storey ground floor side and rear extension. Roof dormer outrigger extension. (Within: Dulwich Village CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210)

80 BEAUVAL ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK SE22 8UH (Ref: 24/AP/0233)

Construction of a rear dormer and outrigger dormer extension at second-floor level, over the existing rear roof planes, to provide additional residential accomodation. Installation of 2no. rooflights to front roof slope (Amended Description) (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210)

BASEMENT FLAT 34 DE CRESPIGNY PARK

LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8AB (Ref: 24/AP/0513)

Erection of rear outbuilding (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA)

Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Winnie Wing Lam Tse 020 7525 0554)

13 DOVERCOURT ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE22 8SS (Ref: 24/AP/0518)

Loft conversion including, removal of existing side roof dormer, new rear facing roof dormer, additional roof windows to side and rear facing roofs. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

CANADA WATER MASTERPLAN - LAND BOUNDED BY LOWER ROAD (WEST), REDRIFF ROAD (SOUTH), QUEBEC WAY (EAST) SURREY QUAYS ROAD AND

CANADA WATER DOCK (NORTH) AND SITE

AT ROBERTS CLOSE LONDON SE16 (Ref: 24/AP/0350) Approval of Reserved Matters (Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) pursuant to hybrid planning permission ref. 18/AP/1604 dated 29th May 2020 relating to Development Plots H1 and H2 within Development Zone H, comprising demolition, refurbishment and extension of the former Harmsworth Quays Printworks building to provide 18,820 sqm (GEA) of workspace (Use Class B1), 17,065 sqm (GEA) of cultural use (Use Class D2) and 2,154 sqm (GEA) flexible workspace/retail (Use Class A1-A4/B1) with associated car parking, cycle parking, landscaping, public realm, plant and associated works. This is as an application for subsequent consent accompanied by an environmental statement. Consequently the application is accompanied by a Statement of Conformity submitted pursuant to the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) regulations 2017. This ES Statement of Conformity should be read in conjunction with the Canada Water Masterplan ES which can be viewed in full on the Councils website (18/AP/1604). Reason(s) for publicity: EIA (Contact: Rose Sharkey )

61 DULWICH VILLAGE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE21 7BJ (Ref: 24/AP/0550)

LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

GILKES PLACE PERMANENT POINT ROAD CLOSURE

The London Borough of Southwark (Prescribed routes) (Gilkes Place area) Traffic Order 2024

The London Borough of Southwark (Waiting restrictions) (Gilkes Place area) Order 2024

1. Southwark Council hereby GIVES NOTICE that on 7 March 2024 it has made the above Orders under sections 6 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended.

2. The effects of the Orders are:-

(a) in GILKES PLACE to introduce a point road closure south-west of its junction with Gilkes Crescent, in which all motor vehicles will be restricted access - the restrictions will be enforceable using traffic signs and removable bollards and there will be exemptions provided for emergency services and for vehicles used in maintenance; and

(b) extend existing 'at any time' waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) (i) in GILKES CRESCENT south-west side (across its junction with Gilkes Place) by 3 metres each side of the junction, and (ii) a total of 36 metres in GILKES PLACE on both sides from a point 4 metres south-west of the southwestern kerb-line of Gilkes Crescent to a point 18 metres south-west of that kerb-line.

NOTES: (1) The ‘Prescribed routes’ Order would supersede similar provisions at the location described in 2(a) above, implemented by way of experimental Orders made under section 9 of the 1984 Act (which would be revoked). (2) All measurements are in metres and are approximate.

3. Copies of the Orders, which will come into force on 11 March 2024, and of all other relevant documents are available for inspection at Highways, Southwark Council, Environment, Neighbourhoods and Growth, 3rd floor hub 2, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH, by appointment only. E-mail traffic.orders@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 3497 for booking details.

4. Any person desiring to question the validity of the Order/s or of any provision contained therein on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or that any of the relevant requirements thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Order/s may, within six weeks of the date on which the Order was made, make application for the purpose to the High Court.

Dated 7 March 2024

Dale Foden - Head of Service, Highways

Variation of condition 1- Approved plans for planning application Ref 22/AP/1682 dated 06/07/2022 for Hip to gable roof extention with dormer to rear elevation. Replacement and repositioning of balcony doors to enclose the balcony. Replacement of existng windows with similar timber sash windows. Conditions(s) Removal: Proposal to add two roof lights on the highway-facing side of the extended roof and amending approved rooflight to rear pitched roof to conservation style. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876)

41 COLLEGE ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK

SE21 7BA (Ref: 24/AP/0301)

Change of the Coach House from a two bedroom ancillary dwelling to a self contained two bedroom dwelling. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Emily Williams 020 7525 1249)

5 CHADWICK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK

SE15 4RA (Ref: 24/AP/0372)

Construction of a rear dormer extension and the addition of 2 x roof lights to the front roof slope. (Within: Holly Grove CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Susherrie Suki )

ARCH 1049 7 BOROUGH HIGH STREET

LONDON SOUTHWARK SE1 9SU (Ref: 24/AP/0580)

1 no. fascia sign and 2 no. projecting sign (Within: Borough High Street CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: William Tucker 07925 637 210)

318 - 320 WALWORTH ROAD LONDON

SOUTHWARK SE17 2NA (Ref: 24/AP/0523)

Installation of new shopfront (Within: Walworth Road CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Ibrahim Azam 020 7525 2876)

1 PICKWICK ROAD LONDON SOUTHWARK

SE21 7JN (Ref: 24/AP/0495)

Installation of one roof light to western facing front rooflope, change of the size of the rear dormer, removal of existing chimney on the roof and repair works to the front bay of the house. In relation to the Planning Permission issued on 11/05/2023, LBS Reg.No.:

23/AP/0749, for proposed development at 1 Pickwick Road, London, Southwark, SE21 7JN. (Within: Dulwich Village CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Chloe Rimell 0207 525 1397)

FIRST FLOOR FLAT 188 CAMBERWELL GROVE LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 8RJ (Ref: 24/AP/0566)

Replace the windows and doors on the property with timber slim lite double glazed replacements. (Within: Camberwell Grove Conservation Area CA) Reason(s) for publicity: STDCA (Contact: Samuel Hepworth 020 7525 5465)

Dated: 05 Mar 2024 - comments to be received within 21 days of this date.

STEPHEN PLATTS - Director of Planning and Growth

Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003

Please take notice that I, Natalie Dory

Have made application to the London Borough Of Merton to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of:

Local Cheese Cave, 86 Quicks Road, Wimbledon SW19 1EX

For the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises. 11:00hrs – 2300hrs Daily.

A register of all applications made with the London Borough Of Merton is maintained by:

LICENSING SECTION, LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON, 2ND FLOOR, CIVIC CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY, SM4 5DX

A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Merton Civic Centre. Please email licensing@merton.gov.uk or telephone 020 8545 3969.

It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.

Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

Date application given to the Council: 4th March 2024

Fisher youth chief honoured

By John Kelly

FiSHer’S direcTor of youth football Paul harbert has been made a Millwall Community Trust community captain, recognising his role in the development of young footballers.

Harbert was honoured as part of the Premier League’s ‘More Than a Game’ campaign. He was presented with the honour by Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh and MCT’s Sean Daly before the Lions’ game against Sheffield Wednesday at The Den late last month.

Harbert, who was born in Bermondsey, is also a coach with MCT and a scout for Millwall.

MCT’s football and sports development manager, Tim Sells, said: “Paul’s dedication is evident in his voluntary contributions to the Millwall PL Kicks program. Leading sessions

and upskilling coaches, he significantly impacts the community, making football accessible and enjoyable for local youngsters.

“Born and raised in Bermondsey, his lifelong connection to Millwall extends beyond being a scout to active involvement in community initiatives. This case study explores why Paul Harbert deserves recognition as a community champion, showcasing his commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering a love for the sport among the youth.

“Paul grew up in Bermondsey, developing a deep affinity for Millwall. Attending matches regularly, he redirected his football journey into coaching after realising professional playing might not be his path. This shift aimed to positively influence local children through coaching and community involvement.”

kOngO tArgets den fight

‘2Slick’ promises to bring ‘fireworks’ in 02 showdown

By John Kelly

ChrIS kOnGO is promising to bring the “fireworks” to the o2 in Greenwich later this month - and reiterated his desire to fight at The den.

Bermondsey’s ‘2Slick’ Kongo, 31, fights for the first time in fourteen months when he takes on unbeaten Albanian Florian Marku in a welterweight showdown.

Kongo is aiming to get back to winning ways after losing a majority points decision to Ekow Essuman for British, European and Commonwealth titles in Manchester last March.

Kongo is confident ahead of his return closer to home.

“I’ve boxed there before. It’s good I’ve got the experience of boxing there and I’m ready to bring fireworks,” Kongo said at The Den ahead of Millwall’s 1-0 win over Watford last weekend.

“Everybody tells me when they come to watch me fight it’s exciting. I’m looking to do it all over again on the 31st of March.

“We all know Marku is a comeforward kind of fighter. He’s going to

Brian Tonks/Millwall

bring it, but we all know I can bring it, too. I can go deep in there in the trenches like I did in my last fight.

“Like I said, I always bring fireworks, and I’m bringing fireworks for sure on the 31st.”

Whyte

By John Kelly

in the

Brixton’s Whyte, 35, returned adverse findings before his scheduled fight against Anthony Joshua last August, but the investigation concluded that the result had been caused by a contaminated supplement.

Whyte previously served a twoyear ban from 2012 to 2014 after he innocently took the common gym-goer

Kongo is set to have a large Millwall contingent in the crowd.

He said: “We’re going to see hundreds of them coming. It was great I was able to get the Millwall community and the support some

tickets, get a little discount for them so they could all come.

“Make sure you get your tickets and get down there, it’s going to be fireworks.”

Kongo, who is a Millwall Community Trust ambassador, delivered a boxing session at The Lions Centre before last Saturday’s game.

He hopes he is giving youngsters from the area someone to look up to and a career to aspire to.

Kongo said: “It’s great. I’ve always been at every community day for however long now and I’ll continue to come. Hopefully we can do more community days, not just on the second of March, and we continue to grow.

“I was part of it (when he was younger) but the thing is there was no one to look up to. Now I’m here, I’m at a big stage of my career and hopefully these kids can look up to me and see that we come from the same sort of area. It’s lovely for them.

“I want to put everything into it.”

Asked what the future will hold if he beats Marku, Kongo replied: “The future holds another boxing show coming back to The Den.”

By John Kelly

SOuThWArk LAnCerS made it six wins in a row when they defeated Haslemere 31-19 in Burgess Park last weekend.

The Lancers are third in the Counties 4 Surrey league table with 57 points from fifteen games. They are 21 points ahead of Old Pauline’s.

Southwark’s last loss was a narrow one point defeat at Streatham-Croydon in December.

Southwark are due to face bottom side Staines away this weekend. Staines are on minus-ten points and their opponents last weekend, Streatham-Croydon, were awarded a walkover.

Southwark supporters planning to attend the game should note it was the seventh walkover awarded against Staines this season.

Six in a row for Lancers Hamlet hit by Darts

By John Kelly

duLWICh hAMLeT Women were knocked out of the league cup semi-final 1-0 after extra-time by dartford last weekend.

A Champion Hill crowd of 581 saw Rhea Gall go closest to scoring near the end of normal time when she had two headers cleared off the line.

Lily Price had a shot tipped over early on and the Jodie Lodge found space but sent her effort off target after the break.

Lodge then fired another attempt over before Gall had those two chances.

But it was the Darts who found the breakthrough when Shauni Griffiths netted ten minutes into the extra period.

Mark Dempsey’s hosts had another effort cleared off the line late on as Dulwich bowed out.

The Hamlet travel to Ashford United in the L&SERWFL Premier Division this Sunday. Kick-off is 3pm.

clear but says: ‘It’s cost me so much’

supplement Jack3D, which he didn’t know was banned in professional boxing.

“It’s been really tough, because I knew I was innocent, but then you can’t talk, you can’t say nothing,” Whyte said on Sky Sports. “You have to be professional, trust the process, trust the lawyers and trust the people around you. It’s been tough, but tough times make tough men.

“First of all, I’m relieved more than anything, but of course I’m angry as well because it’s cost me so much. The most important thing is it cost me the

chance to beat AJ. Everything else after that is secondary but you know it’s a mix of emotions.”

Whyte revealed investigators tested 45 products he had used as he was preparing for the fight.

Whyte said: “I’m not going to lie, it was depressing and I was heartbroken.

When you know you’re innocent and it’s not some bull**** story. When you’re going through everything and spending loads of money and time, losing sleep and thinking about it constantly. What did I do? Where did I eat? Where did I go?

“I was in Portugal, America, I was in the UK, I was all over the place. I was in London for the press conference. I was trying to piece together everything and trying to break everything down and going over it, over and over again. What did I eat that was out of the normal? What did I drink? Where did I eat? Where did I go? It was just depressing. It was like ‘Groundhog Day’ every day, going over it, over and over. Trying to piece things together and then everything was coming up blank.”

Whyte is looking for damages

from the US manufacturer of the supplement.

He said: “One thing I’ve learned because of the things going on around me, discipline is the only way in life you’re going to get forward and sometimes you’ve just got to keep your mouth shut, do a thorough process and break things down and go through things clearly so we can find what needs to be found.

“I would just like to thank everyone who has stood by me and supported me during this process and look forward to getting on with my career.”

Millwall Community Trust ambassador Chris Kongo at The Den

dILLIAn WhyTe can continue his career after being cleared by an investigation into a positive drugs test.

©

FC

© Brian Tonks/Millwall FC

Paul Harbert with MCT’s Sean Daly, left, and Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh

By John Kelly

MAur ICIO POC he TTI nO has admitted he doesn’t “feel the love” from chelsea fans - after sack chants on his birthday last weekend.

Pochettino, who turned 52 last Saturday, saw his side go in front at Brentford but then trail 2-1 in the second half when Blues supporters expressed their dissatisfaction and the manager was their target.

Nicolas Jackson had Chelsea in front at the break before Thomas Frank’s side hit back through Mads Roerslev and Yoane Wissa.

Axel Disasi rescued a point when he headed in Cole Palmer’s corner seven minutes from time.

The Blues are eleventh in the Premier League table ahead of facing Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge next Monday.

Pochettino was asked about the reaction of the away fans.

"Yes, I've been told but I did not hear, to be honest,” Pochettino said.

“That is why it is difficult for me to understand. I don't know. I need to believe what you are telling me but it is normal. We were losing the game 2-1 and it's about to express their frustration and we are responsible. I am responsible. I am the head coach."

“We need to accept. I told you, I think someone asked me do you feel the love from the fans? No. We need to build our relationship between the coaching staff, the coach and the fans.

"You build relationships by winning games. But at the moment, the expectation, we cannot match the expectation.

“I don't ask for nothing. I am going to continue to work and try to change this situation and change, winning games, we now have one week before Newcastle.

"We need to manage the reality.

We are working really, really hard to try and win games. The team is fighting. I think in six days, we played 120 minutes on Sunday, Wednesday was another tough game, then some decisions because of injuries or some circumstances.

"We tried to find different ways to play. But if that doesn't work and the fans are disappointed with that, I need to respect their opinions."

Pochettino added: "I think the relationship is good. If they did what they did, I think it is a frustration. We need to understand that. I am fighting to try and provide the team the tools to work, improve and play in the best way, score goals and win games.

birthday blues Poch not feeling the love from Chelsea fans

"If that is not possible, today is my 52nd birthday, I know very well this business. I am not going to give up, I am going to fight. I am ready to fight again tomorrow and get ready for the next game.

“Yes, we are going to keep going."

Chelsea’s levels dipped in the

second half before they scrambled that late leveller.

Pochettino said: “After the first half, the 45 minutes, I think we were very good and controlled the game. It was about to keep pushing and playing the same way. I think they increased their level and started to win duels

and play more direct.

"I think we were not in this moment consistent and trying to defend better. When we concede, this moment changed the game, they started to believe.

“Overall, I think we were the better side but we need to score in some

moments, some key moments, have some luck and defend better.

"After six days, we competed in three really tough games, I think the effort was massive. It was difficult in the second half to keep the same energy. I think that was important in the game."

Boss Marco hails Muniz on ‘great afternoon’ for Cottagers

By John Kelly

MA rCO SILVA believes the sky is the limit for rodrigo Muniz after the Fulham striker scored his fifth goal in five games as the Cottagers defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 at craven cottage last weekend.

Muniz added the second before half-time after Harry Wilson had opened the scoring.

Adama Traore rounded off a perfect afternoon for Fulham who had less than 30 per cent possession but were much more clinical than

Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors.

Fulham made it consecutive wins after their victory against Manchester United the previous weekend.

Muniz, 22, had only scored one goal in his previous seventeen appearances this season.

“They were great performances. Rodrigo is getting better and better,” Silva said. “He’s getting stronger which is really difficult for the defenders to deal with. We know that if we provide for him inside the box then he’s really dangerous as well.

“We expected Brighton to play

man-on-man across the pitch and to press us and we knew we had to play behind that pressure. To have a player like Rodrigo to link up our game and build our attack is really important.

“The way he’s improving in all aspects of the game is really good for us and for him he’s a happy boy as you’d expect, and I think there’s even more to come from him.”

Silva added after consecutive wins for the first time since December: “I’m really happy because we deserved the three points at home with a clean sheet.

“To have back-to-back wins in the Premier League is really tough and we wanted to get back to winning ways after the Aston Villa [defeat].

“We showed quality, commitment and desire to do the right things and that’s positive.

“The first half was almost perfect, I must say. They didn’t create one chance and we were clinical of course with the goals that we scored.

“The second goal is almost a perfect team goal, the way we built from the goalkeeper until the last moment with the ball passing between our three midfielders, was

almost a perfect goal that myself as a manager, the players, have to be proud of.

“It was something that we prepared, and when you see that happening on the pitch it’s a great feeling.

“They had some moments but throughout the game we were always looking for their goal, every time we won the ball we were really dangerous as well.

“And, in the end, we scored the third with Adama to have back-toback wins and the clean sheet, which was really important for us. Great afternoon for us.”

Blues visit Lions in huge capital clash

By Kiro Evans

MILLWALL hOST Birmingham

City in another potentially decisive game involving the sides fighting at the bottom of the Championship.

The Lions will be looking to make it back-to-back home wins following their victory against Watford but the Blues will know they cannot afford to lose as the trapdoor edges closer.

It has been a busy season for the Midlands club who controversially dismissed John Eustace in October despite the club sitting sixth in the Championship table.

He was replaced by Wayne Rooney but the England legend was then sacked after just 83 days after losing nine of his fifteen games in charge.

It looked like things had finally been stabilised by the arrival of experienced boss Tony Mowbray in January but the 60-year-old has since had to step back for medical reasons, leaving assistant manager Mark Venus in charge.

The Blues’ season has paralleled Millwall’s in that sense with the Lions now also onto their third permanent manager of the season.

Both sides come into this match off the back of 1-1 draws away from home with Birmingham claiming an impressive point at play-off chasing Hull City on Tuesday night.

Back in September, Eustace’s Birmingham and Gary Rowett’s Lions played out a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s after Kevin Nisbet’s early goal was cancelled out by Jay Stansfield.

Club captain Shaun Hutchinson, who picked up his first injury of the season in that fixture, could be fit to play for the first time since Neil Harris returned to Millwall.

michAel’s mAgic

THE EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

Blackburn - 1 Szmodics 63’

Millwall - 1 Obafemi 54’

Date: Tuesday 5 March 2024

Attendance: 11,711 (338 away)

Man of the match: Michael Obafemi

Referee: Jeremy Simpson

By Kiro Evans

MILLWALL TOOk the lead but could not hold on for a crucial three points away at relegation rivals Blackburn rovers.

Michael Obafemi came off the bench to grab his first goal for the club early in the second half after a tepid first 45 minutes.

But a mix-up at the back shortly after would see Sammie Szmodics equalise in a game that threw up very few chances.

The match represented a chance for both teams to launch themselves away from the bottom three in a Championship relegation battle that is threatening the status of many clubs.

But Blackburn and Millwall remain level on points and level on goal difference, with Sheffield Wednesday’s win against Plymouth Argyle meaning the fight at the bottom became ever closer on Tuesday night

It is the first game Neil Harris has failed to win since returning and he will know victory could have been Millwall’s without the frustrating error before the Blackburn goal. It is also now 26 points dropped from winning positions across the season for the Lions.

The relegation battle has suddenly become a tense and tight affair at the bottom of the Championship and that reality bore out in the first half at Ewood Park.

Neither side were willing to commit, open up or take too many risks, giving way to a first half that was forgettable and turgid.

Szmodics, the Championship’s top scorer, briefly looked like he might be the one to ignite this game in the early stages. He whacked a volley from an angle at Matija Sarkic after three minutes but the keeper

attempts. Having not long ago been the hard done by Birmingham City boss, shoved aside for Wayne Rooney, he needed his team to show some spirit to avoid slipping further into the relegation fight.

Super-Sub

Obafemi comes off the bench to score in Blackburn draw

confidently held a powerfully struck effort. The 28-year-old then hit a strike over the bar from the edge of the area after thirteen minutes.

Millwall were not much better and their only chance of the half came from a George Saville corner just before the half hour mark. An in-swinging delivery from the midfielder was flicked on by Jake Cooper at the near post before Zian Flemming hit an effort against the side-netting from the far post.

Aidomo Emakhu, making his first start

Eze hails Glasner impact despite defeat

By John Kelly

eBereChI eZe said Oliver Glasner has made a “super positive” impact at Crystal palace - despite a first defeat of the new manager’s reign at Tottenham hotspur at the weekend.

Eze put Palace in front in the 59th minute against a side he has been linked with a summer move to with a brilliant curling freekick from 22 yards past Guglielmo Vicario.

The Eagles held out until the 77th minute when Timo Werner tapped home from Brennan Johnson’s cross.

Cristian Romero headed in James Maddison's cross ten minutes

from time before Son Heung-min added a third on 88 minutes.

“Yeah, it's frustrating, of course, but we know that with a new manager Oliver Glasner we're learning a new style of play and we put in a good performance for 70 minutes,” Eze told Palace TV.

“It was difficult towards the end. It's very tough to play here, but we can be positive going into the next game, for sure.

“It’s tough, but the intensity that we're playing at is so much higher than we've done before, so to maintain that for 90 minutes is not easy, but I'm sure we're going to get there over the next few weeks.

“We'll be putting in better performances, we feel a lot

stronger, so it's more building more than anything.”

On Glasner’s early impact, Eze added: “It’s big, I think. Super positive.

“You can see the way he wants to play, it's very clear, and I think we're all learning quite quickly, so it's going to change us for sure.”

It was Eze’s first game back since he got injured after scoring twice in a 3-2 win at home to Sheffield United in January.

Eze said: “I'm grateful to God. First and foremost, you just want to be playing and enjoying yourself.

“But, of course, it would have been so much better if we won.”

Palace play Luton Town at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

in 2024 after his injury issues, was hooked off at half-time for Obafemi. The all-Irish switch paid dividends just eight minutes into the half. Blackburn failed to clear the ball from their box, it bobbled around awkwardly and sat up luckily for the Burnley loanee.

Obafemi made no mistake sweeping it past goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt to provide the first glimmer of quality in a match sorely lacking it.

John Eustace came into this game yet to secure his first Rovers win after five

But ultimately it was a Millwall defensive mistake just nine minutes after Obafemi’s goal that opened up the door for the home side. Arnor Sigurdsson, two minutes after coming on for Tyrhys Dolan, intercepted a pass from Danny McNamara on the edge of the Millwall box and slipped it into Szmodics who swept home his 20th Championship goal of the season.

Two goals in nine minutes looked to have brought this game to life but it quickly slipped back into a slumber with both sides absolutely determined not to lose.

In stoppage time, Blackburn sub Yasin Ayari let rip from 25 yards out and forced Sarkic into a save down to his right.

That would be it for a nervy game where both sides will know they have missed a big opportunity to pull away.

Millwall: 4-4-1-1: Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper (c), McNamara (Bryan 75’); Emakhu (Obafemi 46’), Mitchell, Saville, Honeyman; Flemming (Watmore 90’); Longman (Norton-Cuffy 75’).

Blackburn: 3-4-3: Wahlstedt; Hyam (c), McFadzean, Wharton; Brittain (Chrisene 46’), Garrett (Ayari 61’), Buckley, Pickering; Dolan (Sigurdsson 61’), Szmodics, Gallagher (Markanday 84’).

R’s win in remarkable basement battle

By John Kelly

MArTI CIFuenTeS has no target for the number of points he thinks will be needed to survive relegation after Queens park rangers’ stunning 2-1 win at Leicester City on a remarkable weekend at the bottom of the table.

QPR’s victory over the leaders combined with other results means just two points separate the seven teams from sixteenth to 22nd in the Championship table.

Ilias Chair and Sinclair Armstrong scored either side of the break for the visitors, their only two shots on target.

Ben Nelson pulled one back with half an hour left but the R’s hung on.

"It's a very important win, especially because we managed to achieve three points against a very good team, a top team,” Cifuentes said.

"Despite three defeats in a row I think they will go up because they are fantastic in the the way they play and the players they have.

"The guys are working really hard so that is why I am so happy for them. But we need to be aware the other teams are pushing as well.

"I don't know how many points we need. The other teams are doing a great job and are very close.

"We need to push until the last minute of the last game because we will not be sure how many points we need.

"We had the sharpness to score. We were clinical and we defended very well for 95 minutes.

“That is the kind of performance we need against a top team like Leicester."

The Hoops were in action against West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on Wednesday night.

Gareth Ainsworth

INSIDE KONGO TARGETS DEN FIGHT

mAy At the rAces tO finish cheltenhAm

Boss positive despite Dons missing chance

By John Kelly

AFC WIMBLedOn manager

Johnnie Jackson took the positives out of Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at home to Grimsby Town despite his side failing to follow up their thrilling victory over Mk dons at Plough Lane last weekend.

The Dons’ Jack Currie forced a good save from Harvey Cartwright and then the goalkeeper prevented Jake Reeves’ fierce shot finding the top corner.

Grimsby’s Donovan Wilson went close for the visitors when he struck the crossbar.

Ronan Curtis, who scored the 94thminute winner against MK Dons, couldn’t control a long ball forward that could have taken him in on goal late on.

The Dons are tenth in League Two, three points off the play-offs.

“It takes us a point closer to the playoffs but we came here to win tonight, that’s what we wanted out of it. It’s never that simple against an opponent that’s fighting for their lives at the other end of the division. They made it a difficult night for us and we weren’t at our best,” Jackson said.

“We had the better moments but ultimately it was important that we didn’t lose. We need to keep racking up the points and see where it takes us.

Charlton boss joked striker was doing former side a ‘favour’

By John Kelly

nAThAn JOneS hailed his “magnificent” charlton Athletic side after their 3-1 victory at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night - before joking Alfie May was doing his former team a “favour” before scoring against them.

Tyreeq Bakinson scored four minutes from time before and May added the clincher in the last minute as the Addicks stretched their unbeaten run to six games.

Daniel Kanu had put the visitors in front on nineteen minutes before Liam Sercombe's 70th-minute equaliser.

Charlton have now won two of their last three games after not winning any of their previous sixteen in League

One. The victory moved them up to fourteenth, seven points above the relegation zone as Jones continues to make a dramatic impact after replacing the sacked Michael Appleton.

“I thought we were magnificent,” Jones said. “This is a real brutal place to come: how they play, they put you under pressure, you’ve got to win first, you’ve got to win seconds, you’ve got to handle so much intensity and I thought we were brilliant.

“I’d have taken any win tonight. But an away win against these with the way that they’re performing shows that we’re in a really good place.

“Once again we showed character, we showed quality. After leading and not being under too much pressure,

once we conceded we handled it, made changes and then took the game away from them.

Jones added: “Daniel Kanu was a threat all night, and he kept going. I’m pleased for Tyreeq because we left Tyreeq out on the weekend and he’s come back in and scored.”

May, 30, joined Charlton from Cheltenham for £250,000 last summer. He has scored eighteen league goals this season.

Jones said: “I thought he was doing them a favour, right up until he tapped that one in the net, because he had a lot of chances to score tonight.

“We played him because he’s used to scoring on this ground. So I’m pleased for him that he scored.”

Both of Charlton’s wins in seven

games under Jones have been away from home.

They haven’t won at The Valley since beating Cheltenham 2-1 there last November.

Charlton are back home on Saturday when they face bottom side Carlisle United.

“The games are thick and fast,” Jones said. “I’ve had seven games since I’ve been here, and five of them have been away.

“We’ve been on the road so we’ve been travelling, just preparing. The schedule is just crazy.

“The fans were magnificent again tonight, and to travel here after everything that’s been going on. So it’s a really good night for the football club.”

“I think we’re defending really well. We probably didn’t create as much as I would have liked. We weren’t clinical enough. The best opportunities came from deliveries into the box, we had a couple of headers through [James] Tilley and Ronan Curtis in the second half.

“I can’t fault the effort to keep the clean sheets. We need to be expansive in possession, braver on the ball and keep improving.”

Wimbledon travel to fourteenth-place Notts County on Saturday.

Jackson said: “We’ve got four points in the space of three days, which is a good output. We need to take a lot of credit and not beat ourselves up.

“We had a good result against Notts County here and we’ll be looking to take the game to them.”